Describes focus group application in student affairs assessment and offers suggestions on conducting groups and using results. Concludes that focus groups can overcome limitations of quantitative designs, such as limited scope of response or profiles of "average" persons who do not really exist; be used to help design or supplement quantitative…

A brief overview of the various methodologies used to study second-language acquisition focuses on the particular complexities presented by the interdisciplinary character of the field and its effects on such aspects as theory construction, empirical methodology, epistemological positions, data collection, hypothesis testing, and data…

This sixth in a series of articles describing IBM's Opportunity Management Program addresses the approach and methods used to accomplish a summative evaluation. Four levels of validation of performance and business results are discussed, and nontraditional methods of evaluation are recommended, including the use of data gathered by IBM in levels…

Demonstrated that time sampling is inaccurate for estimating durations or frequencies of behaviors. Also concluded that (1) individual or group differences can change depending on whether time sampling or continuous sampling is used; and (2) error rates are high when bout lengths of behaviors are short or when interval length is long. (BC)

Early nineteenth-century occupational classification originated in political debates of the time and was designed to illustrate the work and social status of groups with political power. The labor of women and slaves was not adequately accounted for, explaining some of the problems in the current occupational structure. (SK)

In 1995, the Broward County (Florida) Public Schools initiated a safe-school program. The first step was to ensure collection of accurate, consistent, and timely data. This article describes the district's revised data-collection and incident-reporting system, and documents the program's effectiveness in improving safety. (MLH)

Presents examples of the effective use of building management technology to avoid reaching diminishing returns. Examples illustrate facility management technology uses for facility surveying, renovations, and master planning. (GR)

Analysis of United Kingdom Labor Force Survey data identified inadequacies and ambiguities that change prevailing interpretations. Policy development could benefit from improvements in collection and interpretation of data on training, as well as from more research on its costs and benefits. (SK)

Details 10 years of experience with telephone survey methodology utilized at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) to collect data from business and industry, former students, and individuals residing in JCCC's service area. Compares results between mail survey respondents and nonrespondents who were later telephoned for an interview. (VWC)

Analyzes and documents classification issues as part of the assessment of data quality in the Common Core of Data (CCD). Focuses on the Public Elementary/Secondary Education Agency Universe Survey. Indicates shortcomings in the definitions used for the CCD. (SLD)

Provides guidelines for building a consistent and reliable database of expenditures within an institution of higher education. Stresses the importance of involving key constituencies, including both data providers and data users, in decisions about building the data elements for such a database and the resulting campus cost studies. (DB)

Introduces a theme issue that focuses on how qualitative researchers ensure that the data they get are good, explaining why it is important for teachers and administrators to understand this. The paper briefly reviews each of the articles, all of which address one aspect of getting good data based on the authors' own research and experiences. (SM)

Uses the evaluation of a family literacy program as the basis for an analysis of the benefits of collaborative evaluation. Identifies enhanced learning, efficient data collection and problem planning, deepened professional and personal relationships, and strengthened convictions as results of the collaboration. (SLD)

Describes a project in which students create wind machines to harness the wind's power and do mechanical work. Demonstrates kinetic and potential energy conversions and makes work and power calculations meaningful. Students conduct hands-on investigations with their machines. (DDR)

Presents an activity involving students in a research project with pictures like those commonly found in elementary school mathematics textbooks and workbooks to sharpen student appreciation of the need for standardized methods of data collection. Illustrates that several different interpretations of the operations of addition and subtraction are…