Resampling methods including randomization test, cross-validation, the jackknife and the bootstrap are widely employed in the research areas of natural science, engineering and medicine, but they lack appreciation in educational research. The purpose of the present review is to revisit and highlight the key principles and developments of…

Global economic transformations have never been as dramatic as in the twentieth century. Most countries have experienced radical changes in the standards of income per capita, technology, fertility, mortality, income inequality and the extent of democracy in the course of the past century. It is the goal of many disciplines--economics, history,…

Good quality data is paramount for applied economic research. If the data are distorted, corresponding conclusions may be incorrect. We demonstrate how Benford's law, the distribution that first digits of numbers in certain data sets should follow, can be used to test for data abnormalities. We conduct an analysis of nine commonly used data sets…

Higher education scholars and institutional researchers rely heavily on self-reported survey data in their work. This chapter explores problems associated with self-reports and provides questions and recommendations for their use.

The primary objective of this paper is to encourage survey researchers not to become overly reliant on the literature for generic solutions to non-response bias problems. In addition, the paper recounts an example of how a non-traditional approach was used to maximize the usefulness of data collected under unusual constraints and with an a priori…

A review of articles that report study results based on couple samples indicated response rates are rarely high enough for statistical inference. Four procedures that can be used to compensate for insufficient response rates (collecting information from nonparticipants, census comparisons, adjustment in analysis, and replication) are examined.…

This publication reports the findings of research carried out in recognition of the need for an in-depth analysis of the U.S. jazz music audience in order to identify and assess ways to shape the future of jazz as part of the "Survey of Public Participation in The Arts" conducted in 1982. The research problem was to learn the size,…

Research on rape is handicapped by a paucity of accurate information on frequency of rape. The randomized response technique, designed to produce reliable information in surveys of sensitive issues, is advocated as a means of uncovering true frequencies. Findings are discussed in the context of results from traditional surveys. (Author/ABB)

This article looks at the methodological problems created by incorrectly using between-class data when looking at effects generated by individual students. The grade/evaluation association found in the student evaluation of teaching was used as a case example. A theoretical framework to understand the contributions to the relationship by both…

This paper provides a framework for developing sampling designs in mixed methods research. First, we present sampling schemes that have been associated with quantitative and qualitative research. Second, we discuss sample size considerations and provide sample size recommendations for each of the major research designs for quantitative and…

"Why Is It Necessary to Change?" (Bregger, Dippo), "Redesigning the Questionnaire" (Polivka, Rothgeb), and "Evaluating Changes in the Estimates" (Bowie et al.) examine the changes that will be made in the 53-year-old Current Population Survey (CPS) beginning in 1994. (JOW)

Discusses recent protest concerning the conduct of survey research. (SL)

This document provides the testimony of Lois-ellin Datta, Associate Director of the United States General Accounting Office, before the House Subcommittee on Census and Population, on the evaluation of poverty indicators. Many of the concerns raised about the Census Bureau's experimental valuation methods can be systematically assessed, and the…

Study of college faculty has been hampered by the variation in types of institutions, the difficulty of obtaining an accurate faculty sample, and poor response rates to large-scale surveys. This document examines various approaches to conducting large-scale faculty surveys, and describes a suggested procedure to mitigate methodological problems.…

Explains appropriate techniques to test for interactions and nonlinearity in mass communication survey data. Uses four well-known mass communication theories as examples of when to expect and test for these types of effects. Identifies the theoretical and methodological implications for mass communications researchers of the recent debate on this…