Discusses collection and analysis of social statistics in developing nations. Concludes that all social statistical programs should stress an approach of integrated and limited improvements related to issues of major concern and aiming to produce timely and reliable information. For journal availability, see SO 506 201. (Author/DB)

The bias attributable to nonresponse in population estimates in the field of education was studied. Data were collected from responses to mathematics and science exercises administered by the National Assessment of Educational Progress to a probability sample of 17-year olds, as well as a probability sample selected from nonrespondents.…

Several questions are raised concerning how data is collected and interpreted to generate the National Inventory of Library Needs. The author urges NCLIS to confront some basic issues which have been raised by the document, including data collection techniques and the professional backgrounds of the individuals involved in the study. (JPF)

Experimental research explores cause and effect relationships. In assessing change, both the degree and direction of change must be determined. Consequently a series of observations must be made over time. The process of change is assumed to be continuous, requiring that observation be as frequent and continuous as possible. (Author)

A series of generalizations about the learning performance of handicapped students was presented with several educational implications of those generalizations. (Author/RK)

The second phase--planning phase--in a three-part training evaluation process for organizations, businesses, and/or industry is presented through dramatization and commentary. (Steps in this phase include design, organize, estimate cost, offer options and negotiate, and present findings.) A flow chart traces the entire training evaluation process.…

Possible respondents in a 1974 survey of University of Kentucky doctoral graduates were sent either computer-prepared or offset-printed questionnaires, personalized and identical in content. Overall response rates were similar except when the responses were categorized by the academic major of each recipient. (Editor/LBH)

The process for completing four national questionnaires was analyzed following site visits and detailed documentation at each of six representative medical schools. A number of problems with the process were found that inhibited the provision of reliable data. Corrective action for institutions and sponsoring agencies are suggested. (Editor/LBH)

The Student Behavior Analysis System is a simple, reliable instrument for evaluating student behaviors and providing feedback to teachers on the efficiency and quality of their instructional strategies. (MB)

During a nationwide survey, various perplexing methodological problems were confronted; breakthroughs were made by synthesizing ethnographic and survey methods. Youthful minority men and women were recruited, trained, and given collegial responsibility for survey conceptualization, instrument development, coding and data interpretation. This…

A cost-effectiveness analysis evaluating manual and automated circulation systems is described. The methodology identifies all automation costs and real changes in effectiveness. (Author/KP)

Describes a language-arts assignment for a group of 7th and 8th grade students. Its intent was to impress the inter-relatedness of the separate language-arts skills upon students and to inspire them to produce a colorful and purposeful presentation of their writing ability. (Author/RK)

The authors describe the process undertaken by the University of Michigan School of Nursing to identify an appropriate data collection instrument for the evaluation of their master's program. They concluded that the Graduate Program Self-Assessment instrument was appropriate for that project's needs. (CH)

Notes that finding appropriate, statistically sound means of collecting data is important step in developing research. Presents goal attainment scaling and semantic differential as two flexible, reliable, and valid data-collection methodologies useful for practitioners. Provides procedural instructions and examples for constructing each…

Describes the conspectus collection evaluation process and its utility to smaller libraries, as demonstrated by the Library and Information Resources for the Northwest project. The discussion includes the costs of this method in staff time, the value of a completed conspectus, and problems with the methodology. (13 notes with references) (CLB)