Seven institutional research maxims based on research and theory about how people cognitively process information are discussed: more may not be better; augment humans with models; chunk data wisely; know decision-makers; heuristics are not always helpful; arrange tables by patterns; and accept negative evidence and new hypotheses. (Author/MLW)

This study uses method of citation analysis on 448 articles dealing with cataloging and classification to investigate following areas: distribution of publication format; mean age of documents cited; most highly cited authors and languages; distribution of articles among journals; subjects of cited journals. Ten references and a bibliography are…

An important part of strategic or long-range planning is assessing the environment external to the institution. Many statistics are already compiled by external agencies. Some sources of information are identified, an assessment classification procedures is presented, and a sample of excerpts of the results of an assessment is provided. (MLW)

Discusses the collection by library managers of demand and use data from their own libraries on a regular basis as a means of answering management questions pertaining to the "cost" of information, staff productivity, and levels of service. Examples of statistical records and recommendations for collecting data are presented. (Author/JL)

Discusses the four main tasks involved in designing an appropriate ESP program: (1) preliminary survey, (2) data collection, (3) selection of situations and writing objectives in behavioral terms, (4) syllabus design. Concentrates on the first two, but does give some examples of the last two. (EKN)

Describes a method of improving teacher performance by making the instructor more aware of the consequences of his/her teaching. The system uses a Pet microcomputer with student response pads and an interface box to gather and summarize student reactions during ongoing instruction for comparison with a tape of the presentation. (JJD)

Analysis of relationship of television content to preschool children's play based on observations at day care center reveals that television is source of content in play; television-facilitated games are not "new"; developmental differences exist in use of television content in play; use of television content in play has positive consequences.…

Discusses problems involved in estimating federal financial support for education by the type of ultimate recipient (such as school districts or students), especially using data from recipients. Proposes a new approach based on data from federal aid-givers and applies the method to federal budget data for fiscal year 1980. (RW)

Selected offender classification practices, past and present, are reviewed. Megargee's requirements for a "good" classification system are amplified, and a critique of several current approaches is provided. The role of classification deficiencies in prison conditions litigation is summarized. Guidelines from commissions, courts, scholars, and…

A limited national sample of 49 school psychologists and 30 regular education teachers provided information on assessment procedures for the purpose of instructional planning. Results showed some indications of agreement between school psychologists and teachers, but also several inconsistencies in the views of the two groups. (Author/RC)

Describes a flexible, multichannel, highly accurate, digital data acquisition system for use with a microcomputer. Includes a description of instrumentation for computer data acquisition, data acquisition systems, software, uses in the curriculum, library interaction and action, and use in a mechanical engineering laboratory. (DS)

The independence and objectivity of institutional researchers is discussed. It is suggested that university administration has some control over institutional research but that administrators do not dictate the findings or conclusions of the research. (BH)

Characteristics of population and economic measures as traditional social indicators are compared to more recent quality of life measures to demonstrate that social indicators are value statements at the policy level. Alternative perspectives are illustrated and the importance of assumptions implicit in a given indicator is discussed. (Author/MH)

The method used to record intellectual transaction in the Science Teaching Observation Schedule (STOS) is examined in the light of the theory of sampling methods. Concludes that STOS cannot give reliable quantitative data. Questions usefulness of continued analysis of STOS data. (Author/DS)

In response to criticisms of the reliability of the sampling methods associated with the Science Teaching Observation Schedule (STOS), the instrument's authors briefly review the rationale in developing the STOS and describe several studies validating the instrument. (DS)