Meta-analysis has become an important supplement to traditional methods of research reviewing, although many problems must be addressed by the reviewer who carries out a meta-analysis. These problems include identifying and obtaining appropriate studies, extracting estimates of effect size from the studies, coding or classifying studies, analyzing…

A class of multidimensional latent trait models is described. The properties of the model parameters, and initial results on the accuracy of a maximum likelihood procedure for estimating the model parameters are discussed. The model presented is a special case of the general model described by Rasch (1961), with close similarities to the models…

The first part of this four-part dissertation reviews conceptual and operational approaches to human communication systems. A new conceptual model for studying communication, General Algorithm for Studying Structuring in Complex Systems (GASSICS), is developed in the second part, and an operational method for applying GASSICS is presented in part…

This pilot simulation study examines the important methodological problems involved in costing educational wastage, focusing specifically on the cost implications of educational wastage in primary education. Purpose of the study is to provide a clearer picture of the underlying rationale and interrelated consequences of reducing educational…

This final report of a National Institute of Education project explores Bayesian statistical analysis as a paradigm for educational impact studies, particularly studies on the education of the disadvantaged. The position of the report is that much of what is wrong with educational research can be attributed to the use of an inappropriate model for…

According to the authors, statistical techniques should accurately reflect the research question of interest; no statistical technique should be used mechanically. A researcher should employ the statistical models most capable of answering the research question. If the true research question is concerned with predicting a variety of dependent…

Path analysis is presented as a technique that can be used to test on a priori model based on a theoretical conceptualization involving a network of selected variables. This being an introductory source, no previous knowledge of path analysis is assumed, although some understanding of the fundamentals of multiple regression analysis might be…

The testing of a priori contrasts, post hoc contrasts, and experimental error rates are discussed. Methods for controlling the experimental error rate for a set of a priori contrasts tested simultaneously have been developed by Dunnett, Dunn, Sidak, and Krishnaiah. Each of these methods is discussed and contrasted as to applicability, power, and…

Some of the problems and techniques involved in manpower forecasting are discussed. This non-technical introduction to the field aims at reducing fears of data manipulation methods and at increasing respect for conceptual, logical, and analytical issues. The major approaches to manpower forecasting are explicated and evaluated under the headings:…

A theoretical model is developed for analysis of intervention effects in multiple autocorrelated time-series which may be classified or blocked two ways. The intervention effect is estimated independently for each series. The estimates are then entered as observations in two-factor analysis of variance with one observation per cell, utilizing a…

Faced with a nonstandard, complicated practical problem in statistical inference, the applied statistician sometimes must use asymptotic approximations in order to compute standard errors and confidence intervals and to test hypotheses. This usually requires that he derive formulas for one or more asymptotic sampling variances (and covariances)…

The paper examines a longitudinal model of a manpower system in which the demands for effective manpower are determined by the state of a finite Markov chain, and there are delays in training an adequate supply of effective manpower. An operational method of calculating optimal appointment policies is presented. This calculation can in turn be…

Reported are the results of a study designed to investigate and compare four cluster analytic procedures as potential methods for the analysis of educational data. A secondary objective was to determine whether or not there was some underlying multidimensional structure to a set of mathematics achievement data. The four clustering procedures (Ball…

Generally, ratings have notoriously low inter-rater reliabilities. Because of differences in orientation, background, and expectations, ratings are seldom made from the same point of reference; thus, many types of error mask the true rating variance. Guilford's technique identified most types of constant error by analysis of variance and then…

The applicability of a mathematical theorem designed to trace causality of a three-variable path that consists of an initial cause variable, an intermediate variable, and a final-effect variable with control over other system variables is evaluated. The formula was used with a horizontal rather than a normal distribution, as had been done in an…