Discusses the usefulness of criterion-referenced tests and norm-referenced tests in gathering data appropriate for decision-making in relation to the basic characteristics of the two types of test, the purposes for which the test information is used, and the kind of information needed for decision-making. (BR)

The paper's concern in exploring oral history practice is its use for the collection of oral recollections for mediate or immediate scholarly purposes. (Author/NQ)

A reporting system relaces the requirement of a complete set of cross-correlated data from every institution for every foreign student under its control. The new system makes available data on the total population of nonimmigrant and immigrant foreign students by state, institution, country, academic levels and fields of study. (LBH)

This paper suggests that, at present, a science of natural developmental processes does not exist because few studies are concerned with development as it transpires in naturalistic environments and because truly developmental data are not collected or analyzed. (Author/JMB)

Discusses computerization of student recordkeeping and the computers and software programs available for different school needs. (MD)

Description of the process of developing a five-year strategic planning document for the Indiana State University Libraries covers data gathering from a variety of printed sources, staff reports, and interviews with faculty; conceptualizing document content; writing; and editing. A questionnaire for teaching faculty is appended. (10 references)…

Introduces this special issue, which initiates a dialogue on Black employment opportunities in an effort to redress the racial imbalance and the weaknesses in the data often brought to bear on social problems. (PS)

Computer-based management systems offer an efficient means of recording, categorizing, and summarizing data on student discipline. This article furnishes basic information on developing student files, entering data, and generating meaningful reports, such as individual student profiles, date and period frequency, student referral distribution, and…

This article provides directions for teaching intermediate grade level children about the history which can be learned by studying old cemeteries. A sample handout for student data collection is included. (JDH)

Discusses results of a survey of trainers in midwest business and industry to identify the different data collection methods they used to determine job and task training needs as well as organizational and individual training needs within their organizations. (MBR)

Outlines the development of the National Minimum Standard Conferences. The major purpose of these conferences has been recommendations regarding standards and operations for school buses. (MD)

Discusses various software packages which help science and mathematics students make sense out of data (formulating hypotheses, interpreting graphs, analyzing possibilities, and collecting data with real-time graphing). Includes a list of commercially available programs for the areas, with program name, publisher, grade level(s), price, and…

This article focuses on futures-oriented methodologies that can be used in applied vocational education research. After a discussion of several conceptual issues, methodologies having major implications for applied research are identified. These methodologies are compared and contrasted to determine which one might be most useful for a particular…

Explores the possibility of expanding the research base in distance education through the use of three well-known and accepted qualitative methodologies used by anthropology and sociology: ethnography, case study, and grounded theory. Each methodology's characteristics and main strengths are described. (MBR)

Discusses Ward's article on the potential usefulness of social science researchers for government agencies' analysis of public opinion. Emphasizes the need to gather representative data and suggests that researchers can take a proactive role by using a theory of social behavior such as Bronfenbrenner's. (CB)