Reviews information that will assist in the development of evaluation efforts for school-based health centers (SBHCs). A review of evaluation theory, ideas for evaluation of SBHCs, challenges to implementing research in schools, and future directions for evaluation efforts are presented. (Contains 52 references and 3 tables.) (GCP)

A method is presented for determining sample size that will achieve a pre-specified bound on confidence interval width for the interrater agreement measure "kappa." The same results can be used when a pre-specified power is desired for testing hypotheses about the value of kappa. (Author/SLD)

Evaluated alternate assessment methods by comparing subject assertiveness, two methods of scene presentation, and two methods of response generation in repeated measures design. For self-efficacy, printed scene plus experimenter-prepared response condition yielded significantly higher ratings than all other conditions. For outcome expectancy,…

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…

Notes inconsistencies in drug abuse prevention research findings related to such issues as study design and methodology. Presents consensus recommendations made by drug abuse prevention researchers and practitioners who met at National Institute on Drug Abuse in 1989. Includes specific recommendations directed to modifying prevention approaches;…

Uses data from the 1994 AIDS Knowledge and Attitudes Supplement to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to illustrate that biased point estimates, inappropriate standard errors, and misleading tests of significance can result from using traditional software packages, such as SPSS or SAS, for complex survey analysis. (BF)

Over the last 50 years the process of producing transcripts of all kinds of interactions has become an important practice for researchers in a wide range of disciplines. Only rarely, however, has transcription been analyzed as a cultural practice. It is here argued that it is precisely the lack of understanding of what is involved in transcribing…

Researchers increasingly recognize that significance tests are limited in their ability to inform scientific practice. Common errors in interpreting significance tests and three strategies for augmenting the interpretation of significance test results are illustrated. The first strategy for augmenting the interpretation of significance tests…

This report provides an overview of methods of evaluating the impact of family planning programs in developing countries, with a discussion of their strengths and weaknesses. The focus is on estimation of program impact on fertility rates, though other potential outcome measures, such as maternal and child health, are also discussed. The first…

The ability of individuals to make accurate judgments about others is examined and literature on this subject is reviewed. A wide variety of situational factors affects the appraisal of performance. It is generally accepted that the purpose of the appraisal influences the accuracy of the appraiser. The instrumentation, or tools, available to the…

The four papers in these proceedings provide a comprehensive picture of the rationale, methodology, strengths, and limitations of case studies. In "Doing Justice in Evaluation Research," David Hamilton argues that the application of scientific methods to the study of social systems has given us a false illusion of certainty. He offers an…

This document discusses social survey research in which the need for identification of respondents may bring social research into conflict with the law and social custom. The paper deals with two features of the conflict--the products of such research, and the way in which privacy of the respondent can be assured regardless of the product. The…

Educational research articles published in 1971 are evaluated, replicating a 1962 AERA study. As in the earlier study, it was found that most published research was of mediocre quality. (Author/BJG)

Noting that in Europe there is a growing criticism of the largely American communication research tradition that focuses on individuals, this paper examines European-style "critical analysis," which looks at social systems. The paper first examines the criticism of American-style "administrative" research, and then discusses…

The paper reviews the state of the art in evaluation research of direct instruction projects with handicapped students. The first section delineates research designs used (including norm referenced comparisons, nonequivalent comparison groups, and quasi experimental designs); major findings; and problems with each. A distinction is made between…