A linear causal model is postulated and path analysis procedures used to examine the direct, indirect, and total influence of 39 variables (grouped into eight general measures) on the salaries of 24,461 faculty members in every discipline and type of postsecondary institution. Wide variation is shown. (Author/LBH)

Describes a study which measured college students' consistency in evaluating teacher performance after one semester and at the end of the academic year. Findings indicate that first impressions have a minor effect on final ratings, but that intensive student-instructor interaction in class increases the sensitivity of a student's evaluation and…

Data show that the genuine progress in securing educational equality in elementary, secondary, and higher education has not been paralleled in adult education. There is a downward trend in adult black enrollment percentages but an upward trend in population percentages. (LBH)

A study examined how lecturers received the results of statistical analyses of student evaluations and found that most had not correctly interpreted the analysis, half wanted to improve performance, and 20 percent requested specific guidance. It was concluded that the detailed analysis results should be accompanied by individual discussions. (MSE)

Questionnaires were sent to 116 newly appointed reference librarians at academic institutions regarding the extent, content, and evaluation of their introductory training for their new positions. The majority of respondents indicated lack of overall planning and content depth in their training. (Author/EM)

Tested the hypothesis that the vocabulary of a discipline emphasizing concrete phenomena will have fewer synonyms per concept than vocabulary of a discipline emphasizing abstract phenomena. Although concreteness and abstractness of a discipline were found to be contributing factors in terminological consistency, at least one other factor exerts…

Responses to a sample test were simulated for examinees under free-response and multiple-choice formats. Test score sets were correlated with randomly generated sets of unit-normal measures. The extent of superiority of free response tests was sufficiently small so that other considerations might justifiably dictate format choice. (Author/DWH)

Research findings suggest that centralization varies with certain institutional characteristics and that the nature of the graduate faculty, availability of funding, and staffing patterns are correlated with the degree of centralization. The historical development of graduate education is described. (Author/MLW)

Presents results of an investigation of a formula for rank correlation. The exploration turned up an unexpected connection and showed the formula to be far from arbitrary. (PK)

The article reviews findings regarding the use of severe discrepancy formulas in the identification of learning disabilities by the Work Group on Measurement Issues in the Assessment of Learning Disabilities. Associated problems such as overreliance on test scores and the exclusion of the teacher in educational decision making are discussed.…

Reports results of a pilot study and full survey of preservation/conservation concerns about the non-rare book collections at the Syracuse University libraries. The methodology is described, including physical characteristics of the collections that were examined and statistical analyses used. (CLB)

This survey of 124 special librarians suggests that library schools should emphasize a well-rounded curriculum to prepare students to function effectively in any professional position, rather than to train them for specific positions. The questionnaire used focuses on educational experience, and is appended. (Author/LRW)

Data on state aid to higher education is compiled in a variety of ways, using a variety of classification and and analysis methods, but can be misleading or misused and cause bitter political disputes about the strength of state support. (MSE)

Using National Longitudinal Survey data for 1966-68 and 1979, this study explores possible differences between Black and White, and male and female, youths' educational and occupational goals and determines whether these differences have changed. Not only were occupational and educational goals related, but sex and race differences do exist and…

Discriminant functional analysis was used to compare structural variables of department size, institution type, and highest degree awarded with academic discipline to determine which accounts for more variance in biology and English department chairpersons' responses to questions concerning their influence. Generally, structural variables…