Item response theory (IRT) methodology is introduced as a tool for improving assessment instruments used with people who have disabilities. Need for this approach in rehabilitation is emphasized; differences between IRT and classical test theory are clarified. Concepts essential to understanding IRT are defined, necessary data assumptions are…

This report presents national normative data on the major trends and characteristics of 1.6 million students attending American colleges and universities as first-time, full-time freshmen. The normative data are reported separately for men and for women and for 35 different institutional groupings. Among the findings are the following: (1) student…

This document describes three options for a statewide statistical system for tracking recidivism of juvenile delinquents placed outside their homes in treatment programs. The information is intended for use by the state in allocating resources. The options described involve potential use of juvenile court records, placement data, and/or…

The paper presents tables, charts, and narrative containing statistical data on special education hearings in Pennsylvania. Sections address the following: 1980 hearings by exceptionality, 1972-1981 hearings by exceptionality, issues covered at hearings, hearings concerning the extended school year program, occupations of hearing officers, hearing…

Addresses the role of information technology and effective management of information resources in reversing declining rate of growth of productivity in United States. Discussion covers U.S. productivity, reasons for decline in its growth, productivity measurement, improving productivity, and related activities of National Commission on Libraries…

Outlines the recent transition, within educational research, from conflict to cooperation between quantitative and qualitative approaches. Asserts that compatibility is based on a confusion between method as technique and method as logic of justification. Argues that the claim of compatibility cannot be sustained and blocks an interesting and…

Discusses current practices for statistical assessments of employment discrimination and suggests nonstatistical techniques that can be used to aid in interpreting results of statistical analyses. The techniques incorporate principles of Boolean algebra and allow holistic comparison of categories of similarly situated individuals. (CMG)

Discusses the early commercial development of the computer, with particular emphasis on the work of John Mauchly and the UNIVAC I. (CWM)

Reviews application of causal modeling in family research. Discusses uses of and critics' views of causal modeling to explain reasons for controversial position of causal modeling in social sciences. Reviews requirements for effectively implementing causal modeling strategy, commenting on some attempts of family researchers to use it. Includes…

Develops basic concepts of generalizability theory using hypothetical study of reliability of scores of vocational interest inventory. Asserts that generalizability theory makes it possible to consider all possible sources of unreliability simultaneously and to design optimal decision-making study. (NB)

Notes that many employers use student's grade point average (GPA) as the criterion for interviewee selection, presenting problems for students who may have gotten low grades early in their college careers but higher grades later. Presents a formula for deriving an "equivalent GPA" for such students by taking into account education, experience, and…

Discusses problems in analyzing change in nonexperimental data. Tests three ordinary least-squares regression models to illustrate similarities/differences. Notes that model based on raw difference change scores applies best to studying change processes; model based on outcome scores applies best to assessing consequences of change; and model…

Reviews concepts of aptitude and aptitude-treatment interaction (ATI) and summarizes lessons learned in ATI research on educational treatments to help ATI research on psychotherapeutic treatments. Research design and data analysis recommendations address aptitude distributions, multivariate aptitude complexes, detective work with scatterplots,…

Faculty members are frequently unaware of how students perceive their teaching. They also may have misconceptions of what students perceive as good teaching. For example, research indicates that students want more equality and respect from professors, whereas faculty members frequently believe that students want them to control the classroom, to…

This volume (second of three) contains statistical tables displaying origin or origin grouping of credit course students attending the State University of New York System. The volume contains six parts: Part 1 contains separate tables for each New York State county; Part 2 displays the permanent residence of students from outside of New York State…