Discusses the important role of graphs in conveying scientific information and the use of computer software in amplifying the value of graphs as tools for scientific investigation. Topics discussed include: skills required for analyzing and interpreting graphs, software design, and teaching and learning strategies. (JRH)

Reports on a descriptive profile of college students' HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Students reported good HIV knowledge and positive attitudes regarding infected individuals but also reported high risk behaviors. It is proposed that information from this study will supply useful information for national health objectives for…

Advocates for ethnosciences courses in higher education. Compares the epistemology of Western science and traditional tribal knowledge, including methods of information gathering, data interpretation, fragmented versus holistic approach, and world views. Discusses the expansion of some fields of scientific inquiry to include…

Presents a nontechnical introduction to the field of statistics. Includes discussions on descriptive statistics, random variables, mean, standard deviation, standardized scores, and inferential statistics. Describes six statistical software packages available for IBM personal computers and compatibles. (KR)

Data about outpatient treatment unit follow-up evaluations drawn from selected evaluation items in the recent National Drug Abuse Treatment Survey are reported. Directors and supervisors of 670 units completed surveys describing the follow-up studies. The majority of programs collecting follow-up data used the information for program change. (SLD)

Analysis of mortality in a population of 1,300 people with mental retardation living in the community revealed that 14 people died over a 4-year period. Cause of death was avoidable in three patients. The sentinel health event methodology and case-by-case mortality reviews are recommended for monitoring avoidable deaths in community residential…

This article discusses use of child interview data to decide whether or not a child has been sexually abused. It examines the role of child interview findings from a historical perspective, discusses the challenge of researching criteria indicative of a true allegation, reviews existing studies of child interview data, draws conclusions, and…

Presents an introductory activity in statistics in which a mathematics class is divided into groups to "draft" teams of major league baseball players. Describes the drafting procedure, charting the team, scoring, roster changes, and gathering and evaluating data. Includes draft list, daily box scores, and cumulative box scores. (MKR)

Presents activities using the theme of collecting and interpreting data from the students' own classroom. Stresses communication among students and between students and the teacher. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)

Australian efforts to assess the usefulness of performance indicators (PI) for evaluating higher education are chronicled. It is suggested that key issues must be resolved before PI can be fully embraced. These include aspects of data gathering and analysis, purpose for using PI, quality of data, and adequacy of indicators. (MSE)

Challenges of collecting and using photographic evidence and photo-interviewing to evaluate technology infusion programs in higher education are discussed. A five-phase study for using photo-interviewing is presented, using evaluation of a hypermedia workshop attended by 1 instructor, 1 graduate assistant, 26 graduate students, and 1 art…

Discusses considerations in designing an institutional assessment program (i.e., relevance to mission, potential audiences, potential uses, acceptable data/evidence, analysis/interpretation, and logistics). Includes a worksheet to judge inclusion of assessment data for accreditation. (DMM)

Discusses softcopy information publishing on CD-ROM and describes how to use it successfully for technical documentation. Four main areas are addressed: (1) characteristics of technical documentation; (2) goals for the information product, including access methods; (3) steps involved in publishing technical documentation on CD-ROM, including…

Reviews relevant scholarly literature on hypermedia from two perspectives: (1) an analysis of hypermedia in terms of learning theory; and (2) the implications of several characteristics of hypermedia for instructional designers, including its impact on learner control, concept development, and collection of data on student performance. Research…

A longitudinal multimethod intervention project studying the relationship between work stress and health combined qualitative and quantitative techniques such as semistructured individual and focus group interviews, field tests, and surveys. The multifaceted approach strengthened the research process and confidence in the outcomes of needs…