Over the past decade, quantitative methods have evolved to provide evaluators with more effective means for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting information. The advances discussed are: (1) facilitating advances that consist of changes that make carrying out quantitative evaluation easier; (2) advances in measurement; and (3) advances in…

Researchers with the Parents and Schools Project funded by the European Union worked to find a strategy for the enhancement of home: school partnership. A problem-solving activity that was developed is described. This priority diamond exercise helps gather qualitative and quantitative data to promote dialog between schools and parents. (SLD)

Results of a study surveying 300 households suggest that mail survey researchers should consider using a "reasons for not responding" form because it increases responses to about the same degree as traditional followup procedures and it allows the collection of demographic information from nonrespondents. (SLD)

Argues for the usefulness of a social network approach for the study of computer-mediated communication. Reviews basic concepts of social network analysis, describes how to collect and analyze social network data, and demonstrates where social network data can be used to study computer-mediated communication. Shows the utility of the social…

Spreadsheets can help teachers manage a variety of routine tasks with ease. From creating class lists to taking surveys and graphing results, spreadsheet programs have limitless classroom potential. This article offers six ways to put spreadsheets to work, including class lists, all-about-me surveys, name tags, calendars, skill-building games, and…

Discusses three interlocking areas associated with effectively and accurately conveying information about school performance to the public: (1) graphical display; (2) nonrandomly gathered data; and (3) statistical adjustment. Illustrates these points with historical data, including test results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress…

Addresses limitations of previous normative studies on the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI) and the Sutter-Eyberg Student Behavior Inventory (SESBI). Presents two studies that provide normative information on the ECBI for 2- to 17-year-old children and adolescents and on the SESBI for kindergarten through 6th grade children. Clinicians and…

Presents compact disc (CD) technology as the method of choice for data collection and knowledge distribution. Discusses four phases of the CD network storage application (processing, imaging, recording, verifying), expanding applications in imaging, archiving, Internet/intranet, CD production, and network backup and storage. (PEN)

Discusses procedures for investigating animal motion and makes suggestions for conducting a field or laboratory experiment using video. Recommends using nature videos to perform motion analysis. (YDS)

Discusses the greater need for education data brought about by the renewed emphasis on accountability in public education. "Projections of Education Statistics" features the kinds of information planners and policymakers will need for the future. Discusses shared responsibility for and benefits from high quality data at state and national levels.…

Discusses the program evaluation process as a critical step in effective program planning. Highlights how a systematic collection of data allows programmers to gather evidence of how programs help students meet their learning objectives and fulfill institutional goals. Also discusses how the results of program evaluation can inform the next…

Examines the potential impact of the revised standards for race and ethnicity on data from the 2000 census and public health data sources, policies, and programs. Results indicate that the multiple-race group comprises a small percentage of the American population and may have little impact on data for single-race groups. Actual effects will vary…

Discusses the use of applied cognitive task analysis (ACTA) to interview novices and gain insight into their cognitive skills and processes. Focuses particularly on novice Internet searchers at the University of Staffordshire (United Kingdom) and reviews attempts to modify ACTA, which is intended to gather information from experts as part of…

Investigates cognitive effects of history doctoral students writing information about names pertinent to their study on index cards and recognizing patterns among the data elements. Highlights include schemata theory; theories on expert cognition; the development of expert thinking; and an information retrieval system that facilitates name…

Examined the education indicators used in the "Quality Counts" report published by Editorial Projects in Education in 1998. Discusses the degree to which persuasive or normative uses stemmed from the value judgments being made on the basis of the indicator data. (SLD)