An aim of many students of human development is to penetrate behavioral variability in such a way as to reveal stable phenomena. This broad aim is challenged on numerous fronts when researchers study infant behavior, for students of infants are everywhere confronted with variability. But, in the context of research, variability of subjects'…

The Library Catalog Cost Model described in this report was developed to assist each of the 72 individual libraries participating in the project to compare the costs of alternative future forms of the catalog, emphasizing the costs of implementing AACR 2 (Anglo American Cataloging Rules 2). Inputs characterizing their costs and modes of operation…

This paper overviews technical developments in data analysis procedures for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading data during 1984. The highlight of the reshaping of the NAEP data has been the scaling using item response theory (IRT). AT this point in the data analysis, an IRT-based scale appears appropriate for reading…

Results of a study of 1980 university entrance requirements in South Africa are presented, with attention to (1) the question of whether the minimum score on the Standard 10 examination should be raised and (2) the possibility of differential entrance requirements and channeling of students to various kinds of tertiary education. Previous research…

Research on assessing the cultural fairness of individual test items is reviewed, with emphasis on Birnbaum's three-parameter logistic model. As defined in this review, differential item characteristics are exhibited when examinees from one group have a lower probability of answering correctly than do examinees of equal ability from another group.…

This learning unit on using graphs is one in the Choice Series, a self-learning development program for supervisors. Purpose stated for the approximately eight-hour-long unit is to enable the supervisor to look at the usefulness of graphs in displaying figures, use graphs to compare sets of figures, identify trends and seasonal variations in…

European studies that investigated motivational and contextual influences on students' approaches to learning are reviewed. The studies used both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Both interviews with students and factor analysis of inventories have assessed deep and surface approaches to learning. In some studies, learning approaches in…

This report presents 1980 census data on the geographic distribution of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. The 1980 census was the first one to identify the total Asian and Pacific Islander population and its subgroups. Information on the total Asian and Pacific Islander population is shown for the United States, regions,…

The Ontario Test of English as a Second Language (OTESL) is a battery of instruments and procedures for evaluating the English proficiency of second language speakers in postsecondary institutions in Ontario (Canada). A Post-Admission test measures performance in reading, listening, and writing. An Oral Interaction Test is based on tasks of…

The study provides: (1) a rationale for using microcomputer spreadsheet programs as teaching tools in applied statistics courses; (2) examples of one spreadsheet template--Analysis of Variance; (3) corresponding workbook exercises for the ANOVA template; and (4) results and discussion of how the exercises are used in an introductory statistics…

In order to determine what is known about the relationships between father absence, socioeconomic status, race, and children's cognitive performance, a systematic analysis of related literature was undertaken. This study used the quantitative integrative review methodology of meta-analysis, involving transforming the findings of each study to a…

The use of indicators as tools for educational improvement is discussed. National indicators are limited in breadth and depth and are neither sensitive to differences across states nor detailed and specific enough to be useful to states. For indicators to contribute to the goals of local educational improvement, local agencies must define their…

To determine the analysis of variance among different assessments of teaching competencies shown by preservice education students as student teachers, 32 undergraduates certified in 1985 and 42 from 1986 were studied. Data were obtained on their self-evaluations of 25 teaching competencies. Evaluations by their cooperating teachers (35 in fall…

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Validity Study Service (VSS) was developed by the Educational Testing Service at the request of the GRE Board to help graduate departments investigate the validity of their student selection procedures. The GRE VSS reports are aimed primarily at graduate department chairpersons and faculty members--those who…

This monograph examines the size and composition of the population of U.S. artists from 1950 to 1985 using data from four U.S. decennnial censuses (1950-1980) and the Current Population Survey (CPS). Chapter 1 presents an overview and summary of the report. Population growth rates for the United States and persons in specific arts-related…