Details 10 years of experience with telephone survey methodology utilized at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) to collect data from business and industry, former students, and individuals residing in JCCC's service area. Compares results between mail survey respondents and nonrespondents who were later telephoned for an interview. (VWC)

Analyzes and documents classification issues as part of the assessment of data quality in the Common Core of Data (CCD). Focuses on the Public Elementary/Secondary Education Agency Universe Survey. Indicates shortcomings in the definitions used for the CCD. (SLD)

Provides guidelines for building a consistent and reliable database of expenditures within an institution of higher education. Stresses the importance of involving key constituencies, including both data providers and data users, in decisions about building the data elements for such a database and the resulting campus cost studies. (DB)

Introduces a theme issue that focuses on how qualitative researchers ensure that the data they get are good, explaining why it is important for teachers and administrators to understand this. The paper briefly reviews each of the articles, all of which address one aspect of getting good data based on the authors' own research and experiences. (SM)

Uses the evaluation of a family literacy program as the basis for an analysis of the benefits of collaborative evaluation. Identifies enhanced learning, efficient data collection and problem planning, deepened professional and personal relationships, and strengthened convictions as results of the collaboration. (SLD)

Describes a project in which students create wind machines to harness the wind's power and do mechanical work. Demonstrates kinetic and potential energy conversions and makes work and power calculations meaningful. Students conduct hands-on investigations with their machines. (DDR)

Presents an activity involving students in a research project with pictures like those commonly found in elementary school mathematics textbooks and workbooks to sharpen student appreciation of the need for standardized methods of data collection. Illustrates that several different interpretations of the operations of addition and subtraction are…

Over the past decade, quantitative methods have evolved to provide evaluators with more effective means for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting information. The advances discussed are: (1) facilitating advances that consist of changes that make carrying out quantitative evaluation easier; (2) advances in measurement; and (3) advances in…

Researchers with the Parents and Schools Project funded by the European Union worked to find a strategy for the enhancement of home: school partnership. A problem-solving activity that was developed is described. This priority diamond exercise helps gather qualitative and quantitative data to promote dialog between schools and parents. (SLD)

Results of a study surveying 300 households suggest that mail survey researchers should consider using a "reasons for not responding" form because it increases responses to about the same degree as traditional followup procedures and it allows the collection of demographic information from nonrespondents. (SLD)

Argues for the usefulness of a social network approach for the study of computer-mediated communication. Reviews basic concepts of social network analysis, describes how to collect and analyze social network data, and demonstrates where social network data can be used to study computer-mediated communication. Shows the utility of the social…

Spreadsheets can help teachers manage a variety of routine tasks with ease. From creating class lists to taking surveys and graphing results, spreadsheet programs have limitless classroom potential. This article offers six ways to put spreadsheets to work, including class lists, all-about-me surveys, name tags, calendars, skill-building games, and…

Discusses three interlocking areas associated with effectively and accurately conveying information about school performance to the public: (1) graphical display; (2) nonrandomly gathered data; and (3) statistical adjustment. Illustrates these points with historical data, including test results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress…

Addresses limitations of previous normative studies on the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI) and the Sutter-Eyberg Student Behavior Inventory (SESBI). Presents two studies that provide normative information on the ECBI for 2- to 17-year-old children and adolescents and on the SESBI for kindergarten through 6th grade children. Clinicians and…

Presents compact disc (CD) technology as the method of choice for data collection and knowledge distribution. Discusses four phases of the CD network storage application (processing, imaging, recording, verifying), expanding applications in imaging, archiving, Internet/intranet, CD production, and network backup and storage. (PEN)