This special issue contains seventeen articles on using microcomputers to perform statistical analysis. Programs reviewed are: BMDPC (1985 release), P-STAT-8 (version 1.18), SPSS/PC (version 1.1) and SYSTAT (version 2.0). Included are comparative reviews, author rebuttals, and an article which provides insight into teaching an introductory survey…

This buyer's guide to seven major types of statistics software packages for microcomputers reviews Edu-Ware Statistics 3.0; Financial Planning; Speed Stat; Statistics with DAISY; Human Systems Dynamics package of Stats Plus, ANOVA II, and REGRESS II; Maxistat; and Moore-Barnes' MBC Test Construction and MBC Correlation. (MBR)

Presents a histogram drawing program which sorts real numbers in up to 30 categories. Entered data are sorted and saved in a text file which is then used to generate the histogram. Complete Applesoft program listings are included. (JN)

Demonstrates the value of spreadsheets for teaching sociology using Lotus 1 2 3 as an example. Shows how a Cholesky factorization, an eigenstructure solution, a correlation analysis, and a discriminant analysis may be performed using a spreadsheet or a BASIC program (included). (BSR)

Briefly reviews history of social science data processing and argues that most social science computing has involved adapting technologies developed in other disciplines. Shows how changing computer technology shapes social science data collection and analysis techniques. Concludes that the nature of the microcomputer may again encourage…

Describes a student project which illustrates interrelationships among the topics of random sampling, relative frequency concept of probability, design of experiments, and computer generation of data and which involves determining the configurations of numbers and letters on license plates through a microcomputer program. The computer program is…

The review of some recent studies on use of microcomputers in early childhood special education highlights methodological issues including the qualitative quantitative distinction and the interdependence of research design and interpretation. Imbedding qualitative methods into quasi- or true-experimental designs can provide more information than…

Presents the uses of pocket calculators, programmable calculators, and microcomputers in teaching of statistical physics in unit 9 of the Nuffield advanced physics course. (SK)

A guide to the use of microcomputer statistical analysis packages for loglinear analysis describes the application of one popular package to a straightforward problem and critically surveys features available in four of the leading packages. Survey findings and suggestions for further development are included. (Author/MSE)

This issue discusses the relevance of microcomputers to evaluation research and program evaluation. The relevance of software designed to aid in making decisions, establishing relations through statistical analysis, and gathering information is emphasized. The relevance of hardware, word processing, and teaching is also discussed. (BS)

Reports the results of a national survey of academic psychologists relative to the use of microcomputers. Finds that there is an increase in the use of microcomputers for instructional purposes and that such use was unrelated to department size. Discusses the brands of computers most often used and the ways software is utilized. (KO)

The statistical analysis of processing tree models is advanced by showing how the parameters of estimation and hypothesis testing, based on the likelihood functions, can be accomplished by adapting the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. The adaptation makes it easy to program a personal computer to accomplish the stages of statistical…

Reports survey results on statistical characteristics and adequacy of random number generators on microcomputers. Cycle size, seed, and operational time considerations, and statistical tests examining validity of generators are discussed. Evaluations of software for specific microcomputers are presented. Experiments which demonstrate dangers of…

Relates office automation to its application in libraries, discussing computer software packages for microcomputers performing tasks involved in word processing, accounting, statistical analysis, electronic filing cabinets, and electronic mail systems. (EJS)

This article shows how microcomputer software can help in overcoming key methological problems in program/policy evaluation by: (1) paired comparisons; (2) sensitivity analysis to deal with missing information; (3) allocation percentages to deal with multiple alternatives; (4) sub-optimizing to deal with conflicting constraints; and (5) decision…