This mixed-methods investigation compared the effectiveness of three instructional approaches in achieving desired conceptual change among early childhood preservice teachers (n = 157). Each of the three treatments employed inquiry-based instruction on moon phases using data collected from: (1) the planetarium software program, Starry Night[TM],…

With their realistic animation, complex scenarios and impressive interactivity, computer simulation games might be able to provide context-rich, cognitively engaging virtual environments for language learning. However, simulation games designed for L2 learners are in short supply. As an alternative, could games designed for the mass-market be…

The probabilities of attaining varying magnitudes of standardized effect sizes by chance and when protected by a 0.05 level statistical test were studied. Monte Carlo procedures were used to generate standardized effect sizes in a one-way analysis of variance situation with 2 through 5, 6, 8, and 10 groups with selected sample sizes from 5 to 500.…

Simulation studies were used to explore the relationship between Type I error rates (statistical conclusion validity) and multiple testing in data sets exhibiting varying degrees of independence. Implications for reporting and interpreting educational data are discussed, and methods of determining or reducing Type I error incidence are presented.…

Results of a Monte Carlo study with 4 populations (3,072 conditions) indicate that when distributions depart markedly from normality, nonparametric analysis and parametric analysis of transformed data show superior power to parametric analysis of raw data. Under conditions studied, parametric analysis of transformed data is more powerful than…

An extension is proposed for the network algorithm introduced by C.R. Mehta and N.R. Patel to construct exact tail probabilities for testing the general hypothesis that item responses are distributed according to the Rasch model. A simulation study indicates the efficiency of the algorithm. (SLD)

Two issues in analysis of interactions in complex linear models are considered. One is the omnibus test for interaction, and the other concerns follow-up tests when the omnibus test is significant. Reconsidered omnibus and follow-up tests are illustrated on an educational data set analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System. (SLD)

A detailed investigation of the statistical procedure of W. Stout (the computer program DIMTEST) for testing the hypothesis that an essentially unidimensional latent trait model fits observed binary response data from a psychological test is presented. One finding is that DIMTEST may fail to perform as desired in the presence of guessing when…

The use of stepwise regression has been criticized for both interpretive misunderstandings and statistical aberrations. A major statistical problem with stepwise regression and other procedures that involve multiple significance tests is the inflation of the Type I error rate. General approaches to control the family-wise error rate such as the…

The regression-discontinuity approach to evaluating educational programs is reviewed, and regression-discontinuity post-program mean differences under various conditions are discussed. The regression-discontinuity design is used to determine whether post-program differences exist between an experimental program and a control group. The difference…