In the field of child and family programs, a needs assessment, which is essentially a fact-finding exercise, can be conducted either by focusing on a particular program or by examining a population of interest. In conducting a needs assessment, it is important to be systematic, be clear about the information which is sought, be specific about the…

The Pearson product-moment correlation, r, is commonly applied in educational research. Almost all researchers realize that r ranges between -1.00 and +1.00, and that negative coefficients indicate that the bivariate relationship is inverse. Researchers also recognize that the Pearson r only evaluates linear relationship, and is not sensitive to…

This paper presents a grounded theory study that developed an explanatory theory of influences on teachers' use of classroom discussion. This paper further suggests that grounded theory of this sort should be useful for studying the persistence of recitation under the guise of discussion and for improving instruction with classroom discussion.…

Occupational norms exist for some tests, and differences in the distributions of test scores by occupation are evident. Sampling error (SE), situationally specific factors (SSFs), and differences in job content (DIJCs) were explored as possible reasons for the observed differences. SE was explored by analyzing 742 validity studies performed by the…

The purpose of this study was to introduce a procedure to detect differential item functioning (DIF) particularly suitable for criterion-referenced tests and to demonstrate how this approach would affect the identification of DIF items using real data sets. The procedure based on item response theory (IRT) assesses DIF at a limited closed interval…

It is argued that expressive writing strategies, particularly those used by New Journalists, may eventually serve as models for case reporting in social science research. New Journalism refers to a movement begun in the 1960's that strives to reveal the story hidden beneath surface facts. It involves the use of fictive techniques applied to the…

The paper sets the stage for the effective and efficient use of computers in institutional research. The microcomputer and the mainframe computer are contrasted for those researchers who have a choice of where to process data. General computer use, specific microcomputer and mainframe computing guidelines, and an application utilizing both…

The Project on Secondary Analysis directed its attention to methodology and policy issues, focusing on reanalysis of existing data (1979-82)--surveys, program evaluations, etc.--as a vehicle for learning how to improve methods of obtaining and analyzing data, designing program evaluations, and constructing policy to enhance the quality and utility…

The way that graphs can be used to make calculations that are commonly used by institutional researchers is described using specific examples, and the technique of constructing computational graphs (and nomographs) is outlined. It is shown that once a calculation involving several variables has been represented by a computation diagram or a…

This how-to-do-it guide for Oklahoma public libraries to use in evaluating their performance defines the individual performance measures, explains the data collection and analysis procedures, shows example calculations, and discusses the analysis and presentation of the performance measures. The performance measures are presented in terms of the…

This paper first examines different conceptions of collaborative research. It then reviews problems and benefits in collaborative research as perceived by teams of researchers and teacher center/teacher personnel in 14 projects funded by the Teachers' Center Exchange at the Far West Laboratory. Criteria for effective collaborative research are…

This monograph, the last in a series of four volumes, reports data gathered in a study designed to discover and interpret the home conditions under which young children in the English-speaking Caribbean Islands, especially the underprivileged, are nurtured. Section 1 of the document details the interview schedule, providing a comprehensive outline…

This study examined how sex-stereotyping and liking or disliking of teachers may affect subject preferences and subject choice in single-sex and co-educational secondary schools. (Author)

The focus of this research was on the question of organizational climate tendencies over time. Andrew Halpin and Don Croft developed the Organizational Climate Description Questionnaire and some of the more important research questions raised in conjunction with its development were examined. (Author/RK)