Focuses on ethical issues that can arise in the collection and analysis of data in evaluations. Addresses four issues: (1) the application of cost-benefit thinking to judgments about research ethics, (2) the quality of research design, (3) the need to explore the data, and (4) the censoring of data. (Author/SLD)

The Correct Information Unity analysis for measuring the communicative information and efficiency of connected speech was applied to the naturally occurring conversation of a person with moderate aphasia. Results indicated low intrarater and interrater reliability although reliability of word counts was good. Most rater disagreements resulted from…

Acoustic data for 26 typically speaking 9 to 15 year olds for the /s/ frication were collected and evaluated. Analysis of the reference data set indicated that acoustic characterization of /s/ is appropriately and optimally obtained from the midpoint of /s/, represented in linear scale, referenced to individual linguistic-phonetic contexts,…

This study evaluated the accuracy of automated methods of grammatical categorization ("tagging") of transcribed conversational language samples from 30 normally developing children. On a word-by-word basis, automated accuracy levels averaged 95.1%; accuracy of tagging whole utterances averaged 77.7%. Results suggest that further improvement of…

The Tell-Me-a-Story (TEMAS) is analyzed, reviewed, and critiqued with regard to theoretical underpinnings and rationale for development, administration, scoring, psychometric properties, and research to date. TEMAS has evidence of reliability and validity, and may achieve more accurate assessment of Black and Hispanic children. Limitations of the…

Since cost study data have their greatest impact when viewed within the context of institutional peers, this paper provides sources and strategies for the most effective use of comparative expenditure data. Considers comparisons at both the institutional and program level, as well as political considerations in using comparative data. Most…

Describes a study that investigated the publication rates of successful doctoral students in the fields of analytical chemistry, experimental psychology, and American literature. Data analysis, including linear regression analysis, revealed differences in publication rates and in solo authorship that mirrored differences between the fields as a…

The drill-down process starts with a global question or issue, which then is broken down into its component parts for analysis. Once the analysis is completed, all the data are used to make a reasoned decision on next steps. There are two guiding frameworks: the variety of questions posed and the level of data analysis employed. (MLH)

Describes PRONET (PROcedural NETworks), an integrated exploratory sequential data analysis technique that uses Pathfinder network scaling to highlight frequently occurring transitions among user, system, and environmental events. Illustrates the success and limitations of the method through two case studies. Thirteen figures highlight protocols of…

Poses questions highlighting tensions needing management in the gendered practice of research. The article maintains that gender is one of the major social relations continually negotiated in social practices and affects the research questions asked, methods used, and data interpretation and implications. (six references) (CK)

Suggests that in applied linguistics there has been a collective ignorance of the social constraints operating on exchanges between research interviews and informant interviewees. The article discusses literature from sociology and social psychology that has dealt with this aspect of research interviews. (Author/CK)

A Monte Carlo study compared performance of linear and logistic mixed-model analyses of simulated community trials having specific event rates, intraclass correlations, and degrees of freedom. Results indicate that in studies with adequate denominator degrees of freedom, the researcher may use either method of analysis, with certain cautions. (SLD)

Presents examples that illustrate how spreadsheets can be used to ask and answer all sorts of scientific questions given suitable automation of useful spreadsheet procedures. Examples include data exploration, data analysis, project presentation, simulations, and students writing their own models. (Author/JRH)

This commentary details a number of problems with the study design and data analysis reported by Finkel et al. The commentary also provides suggestions for more fruitful approaches for analyzing data from such studies in the future. (Author/BC)

Reviews the rationale for and implications of case study research in therapeutic recreation, examining: what can be learned from studying a single case; issues of validity and reliability; ethical conduct of research; and the practice of case study research (case protocol, case selection, collecting data, analyzing and interpreting data, and…