Limitations of dummy coding and nonsense coding as methods of coding categorical variables for use as predictors in multiple regression analysis are discussed. The combination of these approaches often yields estimates and tests of significance that are not intended by researchers for inclusion in their models. (SLD)

Multiple evaluation methods (MEMs) can cause an inferential challenge, although there are strategies to strengthen inferences. Practical and theoretical issues involved in the use by social scientists of MEMs, three potential problems in drawing inferences from MEMs, and short- and long-term strategies for alleviating these problems are outlined.…

The utility and interpretation of a coefficient derived by use of the generalizability theory is discussed in this article. Then it is employed to assess the reliability of several school-level variables from the High School and Beyond study. (JD)

Despite assertions to the contrary, preschool children are capable of understanding cinematic events conveyed through camera techniques and film editing. This ability nevertheless substantially increases with age among children from four- to seven-years-old. (Author/RH)

How do you know when students understand something? How can you design learning experiences that make it much more likely that students understand content and apply it in meaningful ways? Since 1998, thousands of educators have used "Understanding by Design" to answer these questions and create more rigorous and engaging curricula. Now, this…

This paper advocates the use of nonparametric statistics. First, the consequence of using parametric inferential techniques under nonnormality is described. Second, the advantages of using nonparametric techniques are presented. The third purpose is to demonstrate empirically how infrequently nonparametric statistics appear in studies, even those…

Coefficient alpha is a simple and very useful index of test reliability that is widely used in educational and psychological measurement. Classical statistical inference for coefficient alpha is well developed. This paper presents two methods for Bayesian statistical inference for a single sample alpha coefficient. An approximate analytic method…

Licensure and certification decisions are usually based on a chain of inference from results of a practice analysis to test specifications, the test, examinee performance, and a pass-fail decision. This article focuses on the design of practice analyses and translation of practice analyses results into test specifications. (SLD)

This review of the study of analogy in modern cognitive science sets the stage for three articles that follow to illustrate some current research and theories on analogy use. Analogy is a powerful cognitive mechanism that people use to make inferences and learn new abstractions. (SLD)

Notes that inference is the strategic process of generating assumptions, making predictions, and coming to conclusions based upon given information in text and in illustrations. Discusses the use of causal and relational inferences. Presents strategies that help emergent readers focus their attention on important information that is explicitly…

Offers suggestions for booktalk strategies so librarians can help children learn to enjoy chapter books, making the transition from beginning readers. Discusses lack of illustrations, making inferences from the dialog, building background knowledge from the back of the book, and understanding flashbacks. (LRW)

Describes an approach to addressing issues of validity of inferences and the extrapolation of inferences to target domains beyond the assessment for alternative assessments. Makes the case that in both language testing and educational assessment the roles of language and content knowledge must be considered, and that the design and development of…

This paper makes the point that descriptive and inferential measures of nonnormality and graphic displays of the frequency distribution of important variables should be routine in research reporting. This point is particularly true for research involving measures with nonarbitrary metrics where the distribution shape is unaffected by measurement…

Three studies focused on: (1) the definition of structure in a specific domain of knowledge; and (2) the relationship between the ways in which knowledge is structured and the ways in which it is used. Evidence suggested that the knowledge of expert children is structured hierarchically into well-defined families and family-groups. (RH)

Examined concepts of mental activities involved in acts of knowing in 54 children of 8-10 years and adults. Ten-year-olds and adults judged memory involvement to be the most important relation among mental activities. Eight-year-olds judged comprehension and attention according to the involvement of visual or verbal information. (RJC)