Makes several methodological points to bear on a previously written article on residential segregation. Notes that although the conclusions given in the original article may be statements of fact, they do not follow as inevitably from the data as the article suggests. (Author/AM)

Concludes that the issues raised by a critic of the original article bearing this title arise largely, from his failure to consider in detail the assertions made in the articles about the context within which causal inferences can be made using correlation and regression coefficients. (Author/AM)

Since the latter part of the 19th century, a fervent debate has ensued about quantitative and qualitative research paradigms. From these disputes, purists have emerged on both sides. Quantitative purists express assumptions that are consistent with a positivist philosophy, whereas qualitative purists (i.e., post-positivists, post-structuralists,…

The authors present their own body of evidence in critical opposition to the analyses of David Armor. (DM)

The use of matched sampling in experimental and nonexperimental research ahs been frustrated by the problems of attrition and incomplete matching. The amount of attrition of sample size and incomplete matching are shown to be a function of various aspects of the research, including the level of measurement of the matching variables, the sampling…

Presents several multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) test procedures. Discusses guidelines for choosing an overall MANOVA test statistic and post hoc tests that determine the dependent variable or variables responsible for any significant effects. Concludes that guidelines based on recent comparisons of the various test statistics be used.…

After considering how an estimate of learning potential (ELP) is derived from the System of Multicultural Pluralistic Assessment, shows that most of the characteristics of ELP deemed to be important are generated by statistical artifacts. Notes that the fundamental assumption underlying ELP is without supportive evidence. (Author)

This paper delineates conditions under which the use of change scores will not produce misleading results, and may perhaps be preferable to other methods of analysis. The validity of change scores in randomized pretest-posttest designs is discussed along with situations where analysis of change scores should be used. (Author/GK)

Although it is possible to statistically estimate the degree to which genetic variation explains observed variation in human behavior, estimates of nongenetic behavior do not set an upper limit on the explanatory power of environmental variation. The two categories are not mutually exclusive: genetic variation often causes environmental variation.…

Asserting that the development of educational theory requires scientific study based on comparative data, the author analyzes the objections to data comparison between societies and finds this to be a nonissue. This is the Presidential Address, delivered to the Comparative and International Education Society, Mexico City, March 1978. (SJL)

The author illustrates the shortcomings of pooling data from replication and original studies. If combining data is deemed necessary, procedures should be rigorous to identify statistically widen study differences. When sources of variation are easily identifiable, an analysis of variance may be superior to a series of separate t-tests.…

Using the split-middle methods of trend estimation, evaluates the accuracy of interpretation of single subject data by comparing raters' visual analysis of behavior change with statistical determination of behavior change. Results indicate visual analysis accuracy was less than chance. Rater and student characteristics largely did not affect the…

Argues that generalizing to message populations by treating messages as a random variable is inappropriate for complex messages, and proposes meta-analytic techniques for investigating biases in message samples and other methodological factors that can limit generalizability of communication research. (MS)

This reaction paper criticizes the characterizations of clusters used in a study concerning a taxonomy of lifestyles of families with severely mentally retarded children, by I. T. Mink and others (EC 211 387). The criticism focuses on the use of cluster scores on criterion variables and use of cluster profiles across studies. (JDD)

Discusses procedures and considerations involved with secondary analyses of longitudinal databases. Procedures involve (1) formulating questions; (2) creating a feasibility matrix; (3) reformulating questions; (4) creating derived variables; (5) performing data reduction; (6) analyzing data; and (7) interpreting results. Problems associated with…