Researchers sometimes use stepwise methods to eliminate variables from analyses when the variables do not appreciably improve the ability to explain or predict inferences about the importance of various predictor variables. It is argued that stepwise methods are usually not appropriate for these purposes for three reasons. First, some researchers…

This report briefly describes and analyzes several of the most frequently used techniques for depicting trends and making projections of education statistics. Each technique is described simply and nontechnically, with its uses and shortcomings, and a step-by-step analytical and graphic example and explanation. Projection techniques described…

Utilizing individual data drawn from the Israel labor mobility survey and assigning workers to primary and secondary sectors on the basis of occupational prestige scores, earnings functions are estimated and compared for the two sectors. Results strongly suggest that the dual labor market hypothesis may be relevant for Israel. (Author/CT)

This study used classification tree analysis to examine who is and who is not willing to use online employer-provided retirement investment advice. Using data from the Retirement Confidence Survey (Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2004), the study focused on who was more likely to use online retirement investment advice when it was available…

The present paper describes an attempt to establish a paper and pencil test battery for improving predictive efficiency in the selection of supporting services personnel at Montgomery County Public Schools and a report on the validation of such a procedure. (Author)

It is recognized that parametric methods (e.g., t-tests, discriminant analysis, and methods based on analysis of variance) are special cases of canonical correlation analysis. In canonical correlation it has been argued that structure coefficients must be computed to correctly interpret results. It follows that structure coefficients may be useful…

Through a review of the literature, this paper explores the viability of the rotation of canonical correlation analysis results. The similarities and dissimilarities between factor analysis and canonical correlation analysis are examined. The logic supporting a preference for the rotation of structure coefficients as opposed to function…

The problem of determining grades on a common scale for two groups offering a common paper in an examination was examined. Three theoretical methods were offered and the results of applying them to some data provided by the East Midland Regional Examinations Board were compared. (Author/RK)

Results of an educational innovation study, which related the degree of dissemination effort to the nature of the innovation itself, reveal a positive relationship between the diffusability index (rating methodology) and selected indicators of the actual dissemination (i.e., number of times articles apppear in newsapers, journals). Three…

States that the correlation between social desirability (SD) and hopelessness is open to several interpretations, but, in the absence of further data, concern for false-negative rates dictates caution in interpreting hopelessness scores when assessing suicidal behavior. Presents data on the relationship of SD, hopelessness, and prediction of…

Prevention research on the related problems of child abuse, youth violence, and domestic violence has grown at an accelerating pace in recent years. In this context, a set of shared methodological issues has emerged as investigators seek to advance the interpersonal violence prevention knowledge base. This article considers some of the persistent…

Two sophisticated--autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), straight-line regression--and two naive--simple average, monthly average--forecasting techniques were used to forecast monthly circulation totals of 34 public libraries. Comparisons of forecasts and actual totals revealed that ARIMA and monthly average methods had smallest mean…

A method is developed for testing a priori multiple regression models. The method allows one to specify in advance as many unstandardized or standardized coefficients as one wants to and allows the remaining slopes to be free to vary. (Author/PN)

Four commonly employed procedures were repeatedly applied to computer-simulated samples to provide comparative data pertaining to two questions: (a) which procedure can be expected to produce and equation that yields the most accurate predictions for the population, and (b) which procedure is most likely to identify the optimal set of independent…

A strategy is proposed for conceptualizing moderating relationships based on their type (strictly correlational and classically correlational) and form, whether continuous, noncontinuous, logistic, or quantum. Results of computer simulations comparing three statistical approaches for assessing moderator variables are presented, and advantages of…