Maternal scaffolding of pretend play was investigated in ten hearing mother/hearing child (Hh) dyads and ten hearing mother/deaf child (Hd) dyads. Three videotaped samples of play interaction were collected when the children were 28, 29 and 30 months of age. The videotapes were segmented according to four levels of maternal participation (dyadic…

The serious problems associated with the use of stepwise methods are well documented. Various authors have leveled scathing criticisms against the use of stepwise techniques, yet it is not uncommon to find these methods continually employed in educational and psychological research. The three main problems with stepwise techniques are: (1)…

Conventional statistical significance tests do not inform the researcher regarding the likelihood that results will replicate. One strategy for evaluating result replication is to use a "bootstrap" resampling of a study's data so that the stability of results across numerous configurations of the subjects can be explored. This paper…

There are advantages to using a priori or planned comparisons rather than omnibus multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) tests followed by post hoc or a posteriori testing. A small heuristic data set is used to illustrate these advantages. An omnibus MANOVA test was performed on the data followed by a post hoc test (discriminant analysis). A…

This study presents an overview of Monte Carlo studies in discriminant analysis. Some common questions about the use of Monte Carlo techniques are answered through a brief literature review of articles on discriminant analysis in which Monte Carlo methods are used. The articles cover many research points, such as comparing error rate estimates,…

The calendar systems used at 3,387 colleges and universities in 1982 were identified. Comparisons to the systems used in 1978 and 1981 also were made. It was found that the predominant calendar type in use has been and continues to be the semester. From 1978 to 1981, there was a 2 percent increase in the use of the semester system nationwide, with…

This paper discusses the principles underlying discriminant analysis and constructs a simulated data set to illustrate its methods. Discriminant analysis is a multivariate technique for identifying the best combination of variables to maximally discriminate between groups. Discriminant functions are established on existing groups and used to…

This paper reports on a study conducted to determine the extent to which failing secondary school students can be identified in advance through analysis of student records. The research, conducted in an urban school district, utilized data such as achievement test results, school attendance, and course grades, as well as a survey of sample…

A dichotomous dependent variable is used to determine a combination of variables that will predict group membership. Dichotomous variables are frequently encountered in multiple regression analysis. However, several textbooks question the appropriateness of using multiple regression analysis when analyzing dichotomous dependent variables. The…

This study assessed patterns of instructional leadership sources. The instrument, Sources of Instructional Leadership (SOIL), was based on instructional leadership and effective schools literature. It dealt with the management of instructional resources, and related to one of six leadership functions: organizing, coordinating, developing,…

This study seeks to identify personal value orientations, philosophical attitudes, and social attitudes of high school students. Two questionnaires (Philosophical Attitude Description Inventory and Personal Attitude Questionnaire) were administered to 700 eleventh and twelfth grade students. Significant differences were demonstrated between drug…

A four-variable equation to predict administrative effectiveness of academic deans was derived from 17 variables by discriminant analysis. The study objective was to validate four indicators of administrator effectiveness. If the four variables were found to discriminate between effective and ineffective deans, search-screening committees could…

Nine different self scales, along with the corresponding ratings on the same traits by peers and adults, were administered to children and adolescents. With a multitrait-multimethod matrix formulation, the results indicated general differentiation on the nine scales, suggesting situation-dependent and divergent self-pictures. Interpersonal…

Linear classification functions (LCFs) arise in a predictive discriminant analysis for the purpose of classifying experimental units into criterion groups. The relative contribution of the response variables to classification accuracy may be based on LCF-variable correlations for each group. It is proved that, if the raw response measures are…