Issues of reliability and validity in ethnographic design are compared to their counterparts in experimental design. Threats to the credibility of ethnographic research are summarized and categorized. Strategies intended to enhance credibility (study design, data collection, data analysis, and presentation of findings) are incorporated throughout…

Chemical engineers have begun savoring the first fruits of a massive effort to gather, determine, and evaluate data of physical properties and predictive methods for large numbers of compounds and mixtures processed in the chemical industry. The use of this centralized data source is highlighted. (Author/JN)

Examines these questions: What are life histories? What problems and people are best suited for them? What motivates people to write them? Does the collection procedure affect the content? and How should the material be analyzed? (Author/SK)

To test the use of Bayes's theorem to adjust for nonresponse bias, 600 hospitals were used in a simulated sample survey. On the basis of known information on five variables, Bayes's formula correctly predicted the status of 92 of the 100 "nonrespondents" relative to a sixth variable. (Author/BW)

The author explains, in a step-by-step manner, how to establish an employee data system that can be used in a number of ways, including affirmative action reporting, compensation planning, and workforce analysis. (Author/MLF)

The observational method particularly recommended for educators who collect data in rural settings is the participant-as-observer identity. Participant observation entails total commitment of the investigator to participate as intimately as possible in the experiences of those being studied. (CM)

Familiarizes educators and researchers with a method to develop curriculum according to the individual cognitive styles of individual students. (Author)

The authors present an informal assessment strategy format to aid teachers in meeting the needs of the handicapped student. The format includes an assessment sequence, how to analyze assessment results, and how to interpret results. (CT)

Illustrates a relatively simple method for measuring market compatibilities of cooperative education programs. The authors demonstrate the index method and explain how it can be used. (CT)

Investigates the extent of differences among survey results obtained as responses to an initial letter, a second letter, and a third contact by telephone or handwritten letter. There were considerable differences among the results from the three different contacts, with the later respondents being more negative in their answers. (CT)

Conducted in Larimer County, Colorado, the study examined where the farmworker population can be found during the agricultural season and whether there will be a demand for their labor in the future. (NQ)

The first of two articles outlines how the director of the physical plant at Monroe County Community College (Michigan) developed a preventive maintenance program. The first step, assembling a set of up-to-date records, is detailed. (MLF)

Counselors are in a good position, especially when working closely with the principal, to collect qualitative research data through participant observation. This method can help bring research and practice closer together. (Author/WD)

A study sought to determine if there was a difference in task analysis data collected by interviews and by mailed questionnaire. The business that was interviewed reported a significantly greater number of tasks as performed by beginning employees when compared to the mailed respondents. (LRA)

How-to information for performing a skills audit is presented. Nine steps need to be performed in three separate phases: establish basic enabling skills data, compile the data, and summarize the data. A skills analysis can aid the training staff in deciding where to concentrate their instructional efforts. (CT)