A discussion of higher education and American Indians in Montana looks at the lack of available statistics on American Indian education, Eurocentric curricula, tribal college accreditation problems, articulation and transfer between tribal and other colleges, and a recent forum on American Indian education. (MSE)

The LABLIB system at the Language Centre of the University of Turku, Finland, is described. LABLIB is a computerized bilingual information retrieval system that assumes a minimum of user computer expertise and includes comprehensive information on tape recordings, video programs, and other teaching materials. (four references) (LB)

A Lesson Plan Evaluation Form was developed to provide systematic quantitative data about classroom functioning in an elementary-level gifted program. Plans (n=137) from 15 teachers were analyzed, and useful information about program functioning was obtained in a cost-effective manner. Data obtained were consistent with data from more traditional…

Two types of verbal-report data (concurrent and retrospective) and four major introspective methods used in second-language research (L2) (thinking-aloud, questionnaires, interviews, diary-keeping) are described in a discussion of introspective L2 research studies. It is argued that, though incomplete, verbal reports from informant-learners offer…

Data on the relative levels of men's and women's dental health are scarce, but the available data do indicate differences in tooth loss and health-related behavior patterns. Better methods for recording and reporting this information are recommended. (MSE)

Forty-seven young children, 15 with disabilities, were observed 4 times for types and levels of engagement. Results indicated that engagement is difficult to measure through molecular data collection techniques because of error in dependability measures. The number of observed sessions could be increased to achieve generalizability, but increases…

This symposium report includes seven papers that address issues concerning the North American Collections Inventory Project (NCIP) Conspectus sponsored by the Research Libraries Group (RLG). Topics discussed include cooperative collection development; rigor and research in library and information science; decision making and uncertainty; and data…

Describes the creation of the Cold Fusion Archive at Cornell University and raises questions about documenting how scientific knowledge is created, diffused, and evaluated. Types of materials collected are described; issues involving the acquisition, organization, and preservation of materials are addressed; and the scope and limitations of…

The validity of vignettes used to elicit subject responses in social science research is examined in a study of the validity of a group of patient assault vignettes seen by 12 persons with experience in patient care. A model for establishing the validity of vignettes is proposed. (SLD)

The economic transformation of eastern Europe raises issues in the collection and interpretation of national statistics on output measures, price measures, labor force, household income, and private enterprise. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is assisting eastern European statistical agencies in rebuilding their systems. (SK)

Twelve trained observers were randomly assigned to one of two methods of data collection in scoring teacher-student interactions. Results indicated no overall difference in observer accuracy between momentary time sampling and continuous data collection when scoring behaviors that differed along the dimensions of frequency and predictability.…

This article reports the results of policy research survey examining U.S. government strategies to obtain data on counts of children who are deaf-blind and the issues related to this effort and its outcomes. Problems frequently cited were varying definitions of deaf-blindness among states and lack of accurate data on etiology and severity. (JDD)

After a mailed questionnaire and two follow-ups, hard-core survey nonrespondents were contacted to ask why they had not responded and what they would have answered had they responded. Results from 28 subjects indicate that efforts to pursue nonrespondents may be unnecessary, because bias resulting from nonresponse appeared minimal. (SLD)

Describes Sandia National Laboratories' wide-ranging analysis of local, state, and national education systems. On most measures (dropout and retention rates, standardized test scores, higher education enrollment, education spending, international comparisons, educator status, and work-force skills), lab found steady or slight improvement. Schools…

An approach to evaluation initiated by the Kellogg Foundation called cluster evaluation (not to be confused with cluster sampling) is described. Cluster evaluation provides a skilled, credible evaluator to work with a cluster of projects to assure that useful and defensible information is obtained for program evaluation. (SLD)