Seven articles discuss aspects of transaction log analysis, including introduction and definitions; history and development; components of an ideal logging facility; research methodologies; applications to a variety of library functions; practical and logical limits of the methodology; and future developments needed to enhance successful use of…

Urges college educators to define their institutions' academic literacy tasks by assessing the written and oral texts students will encounter, by identifying tasks assigned by professors, by determining how professors perceive their academic domain, and by defining students' perceptions of the tasks they encounter. Suggests ways and benefits of…

Presents the definition of transfer proposed by the Center for the Study of Community Colleges. Reviews research utilizing this definition to establish transfer rates from two- to four-year colleges. Underscores the value of a consistent definition of transfer, urging community colleges to collect and report their own transfer data. (DMM)

A review of data collection methods used in 39 studies of interlanguage pragmatics, focusing on the validity of different types of data resulting from discourse completion, role play, observation of authentic speech, and multiple approaches, concludes that caution is needed in determining the true validity of the collected data. (72 references)…

Reviews instruments used in conjunction with comprehensive programs to study children's dietary knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The instruments take about 20-45 minutes to complete and are easy for teachers or staff to administer and score, so respondent and staff burden are low compared to use of dietary methodologies. (SM)

Measures of preference are useful predictors of children's food consumption patterns. The paper discusses children's affective response to food and describes the preference assessment procedure which obtains information on children's likes and dislikes. The methodology helps investigate factors influencing development of preferences and food…

Describes a study that designed and tested an interlibrary loan (ILL) measurement tool to be used by all types and sizes of libraries in Illinois. Topics discussed include data collection processes, use of the information for resource sharing, and a continuing education program to help librarians use the ILL forms. Sample forms are appended.…

Alternative methods of data collection among homeless people are compared to traditional shelter and street surveys. The alternatives allow for more people to be reached, achieve greater depth, put researcher and subject on a more equal footing, and appear to produce a more accurate picture of homeless people in their diversity. (CJS)

Describes a project developed for fifth graders that was designed to teach them about databases through collecting information for a community census. Activities supported by the census project are listed, including both noncomputer activities and computer activities; and an effective sequence of instruction with databases is discussed. (LRW)

Discusses important factors to consider before deciding on hardware or software to use in building qualitative databases. Examines using the computer to store and retrieve text, store and retrieve graphics, analyze text, analyze graphic materials, distribute data stored on one machine to others, allow researchers access to data from remote sites,…

This article describes an ongoing survey that illustrates how evaluators, working with program managers, have effectively used client-based data to monitor performance in the Social Security Administration. The value of client-based data outweighs the limitations and problems collecting it. Customer perceptions are a critical barometer of quality.…

Census data and California school data on Latino ethnicity and language illustrate how two bilingual-education constructs, "non-English language background" and "limited-English proficient," are useful but have loosened the traditional ethnicity-language relationship, affecting research and educational policy. New census…

Describes the Minnesota Tech Prep Consortia Evaluation System, which collects outcomes data on enrollment, retention, related job placement, higher education, dropouts, and diplomas/degrees awarded. Explains outcome measures, database development, data collection and analysis methods, and remaining challenges. (SK)

Enumerates concerns that educators have regarding the use of student data-collection tools such as the computer-based laboratory (CBL) and the microcomputer-based laboratory (MBL). Compares various types of data-collection technologies. (DDR)

Argues that science educators often face the problem of abnormal distributions when conducting large-scale assessments or evaluating national curriculum projects that require complex sampling plans. Examines the precision of science test scores. (DDR)