The growth in the availability of longitudinal data--data collected over time on the same individuals--as part of program evaluations has opened up exciting possibilities for evaluators to ask more nuanced questions about how individuals' outcomes change over time. However, in order to leverage longitudinal data to glean these important insights,…

In order to build a framework in which to discuss the evolution of data communications, the three main components of a basic data transmission system (source, medium and data sink) are considered to see what has happened in each area since 1960. This somewhat oversimplified basic approach is taken in order to avoid the confusing terminology and…

Today, collecting, evaluating, and analyzing data--the basic concepts of scientific study--usually involves electronic probeware. Probeware combines sensors that collect data with software that analyzes it once it has been sent to a computer or calculator. Science inquiry has benefited greatly from the use of electronic probeware, providing…