Predictive studies have been widely undertaken in the field of education to provide strategic information about the extensive set of processes related to teaching and learning, as well as about what variables predict certain educational outcomes, such as academic achievement or dropout. As in any other area, there is a set of standard techniques…

In recent years, there has been some dispute over the appropriate way to model decision making in professional sports leagues. In particular, Szymanski and Kesenne (2004) argue that formulating the decision-making problem in a noncooperative game leads to radically different conclusions about the nature of competition in sports leagues. The author…

This Eurydice report contains more than 30 detailed structural indicators, up-to-date figures, definitions, country notes and a short analysis of recent key policy developments and reforms in five areas: early childhood education and care, achievement in basic skills, early leaving from education and training, higher education and graduate…

Three experiments examined the processing of predictive and deductive inferences elicited by narrative texts. In Experiment 1, lexical decision responses indicated that these inferences were activated during reading. In Experiment 2, sentences expressing that an event had ''maybe'' taken place were shown to be appropriate in verifying predictive…

A team of health researchers of the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy at the University of Manitoba was asked to forecast the number of acute care hospital beds that will be required to meet the needs of residents of the province of Manitoba by the year 2020. Methodological considerations for this request included identification of factors…

Examines a scale that assesses prisoners' (N=1,655) emotional states and suicidal tendency. Results indicate that the scale has both high test-retest reliability and internal consistency. Subscales showed significant discriminant power in differentiating the high- and low-risk groups which were classified according to various measures of suicidal…

A method of assessment using six one-hour tests, with provision to repeat four of them, is described. Performance in the course, high school background, and the first test's results are used to determine entry criteria for the course. (MSE)

This paper operationally defines a set of indicators for the decision to separate the child and family in child abuse cases. Application of the indicators to 152 cases of suspected child abuse in Australia found that severity of abuse, parenting, and the family social system were most predictive of a final separation outcome. (Author/DB)

Looking back on enrollment trends in higher education in Britain since 1800, this study examines the trend toward expansion and the philosophy behind such expansion. A statistical model is developed for enrollment trends, and recent literature on enrollment is examined in light of the model presented. (MSE)

It is generally believed that there are too few Canadian faculty members to meet adequately the needs generated by recent increases in enrollment and by expanding societal expectations for college research and development, technology transfer, and community service. A very large cohort of faculty members will be retiring around the turn of the…

A method for forecasting the number of college graduates in the United Kingdom is described, and suggestions are offered about ways that society should react to influence declining enrollments and potential reductions in technologically skilled graduates. Consideration is given to the implications of recruiting noncollege-bound individuals to…

The view that there will be severe faculty shortages at Canadian universities in the 1990s is refuted, based on analyses concerning the demand for university teachers and the supply of doctoral graduates. In the 1990s when there is no foreseeable increase in university positions, replacement (i.e, due to retirement and mortality) will be the only…

The time pattern of university participation rates and the variations across provinces in the light of economic analysis are discussed. While cost factors, tuition fees and student aid have changed significantly, it is argued that their quantitative impact is unlikely to account for a major part of the enrollment increase. (Author/MLW)

A Markov chain is used to model the movement of undergraduates through the higher education system in Australia. Given the student's age on commencing a course of study, the model provides estimates of the probability of course completion, mean time for completion, and mean time spent in the higher education system. (Author/MSE)

Discusses the structure and results of a university physics entry examination that measures students' expertise with mathematical tools and formal logic operations required for the study of college physics. Indicates that the examination adequately serves incoming students: to evaluate academic potential; to emphasize specific deficiencies; and to…