This report is a product of research conducted under a program exploring improved methods of acquiring data on sensitive topics, such as the scope and intensity of current social problems. In this case, the problem studied was drug abuse in the Army. A mail survey dealing with illicit drug use was conducted, comparing the data acquisition…

The procedures for the selection of a test population to use and evaluate the short units developed by the Sociological Resources for the Social Studies Project (SRSS), "Episodes in Social Inquiry Series," are considered. They wanted to assess the effectiveness of the materials under a variety of circumstances: classes from different…

In some correlational studies it is not reasonable to assume that bivariate observations are uncorrelated. An example would be a configural analysis in which two individuals are correlated across several variables (e.g., Q-technique). The present study was a Monte Carlo investigation of the robustness of techniques used in judging the magnitude of…

This report summarizes the methods used to study a nationwide sample of over 6000 low-income people, both welfare recipients and the working poor. The objectives were: (1) to find out if self-actuated work behavior among low-income people is related systematically to identifiable characteristics of the individual; (2) to develop hypotheses…

The objective of this study was to obtain an overall evaluation of hotels and motels with specific emphasis on the industry's image as an employer among the general public. Findings are based on a personal interview research survey conducted among 994 men and women 18 years of age and over, and among 622 teenagers living in private households in…

The first of a two-part study of the comprehensive 1962 public library survey, this report presents institutional data for public libraries serving 35,000 persons and above. In content and coverage it continues the 1960 public library survey which was released in three parts in 1961 and 1962 under the title, "Statistics of Public Library…

The feasibility of using ticket dispensing machines to collect campground fees was tested in the California Region of the U. S. Forest Service during the summer of 1961 and described in this report. In addition, tests were made on the performance of tickets as a source of information. This part of the research was conducted with the belief that…

A simple, rigorous, small-sample statistical technique is described for testing the hypothesis that two sets of measurements differ only because of errors of measurement and because of differing origins and units of measurement. (Author)

The notion of comparing in curriculum evaluation is discussed, and some approaches to making comparative judgments about program effectiveness during the formative and summative evaluation stages are examined. Sources of information provided by external and internal program comparisons are described, and a model in which a policy capturing…

A sample design of schools in an elementary school survey is presented. This sample outlines two states of sampling. First is a sample of 750 schools drawn for purposes of describing compensatory programs. The second-stage sample is a subsample of 200 schools for purposes of performance testing of pupils. (CK)

This study investigated the feasibility of concurrently and randomly sampling examinees and items in order to estimate group achievement. Seven 32-item tests reflecting a 640-item universe of simple open sentences were used such that item selection (random, systematic) and assignment (random, systematic) of items (four, eight, sixteen) to forms…

The bias attributable to nonresponse in population estimates in the field of education was studied. Data were collected from responses to mathematics and science exercises administered by the National Assessment of Educational Progress to a probability sample of 17-year olds, as well as a probability sample selected from nonrespondents.…

This study at an academic library used a simulation technique (1) to analyze the extent to which queues develop at a reference desk during peak periods, (2) to propose alternative staffing models to reduce queues, and (3) to examine the cost effectiveness of the alternatives. (Author/JAB)