Propensity score analysis is one statistical technique that can be applied to observational data to mimic randomization and thus can be used to estimate causal effects in studies in which the researchers have not applied randomization. In this article the authors (a) describe propensity score methodology and (b) demonstrate its application using…

There are usually many testing activities going on in a school, with different tests serving different purposes, thus organization and planning are key in creating an efficient system in assessing the most important educational objectives. In the ideal case, an assessment system will be able to inform on student learning, instruction and…

This study investigated the dimensionality of mathematics subscale scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress for the assessment's Technical Review Panel, specifically for the data from the 1990 and 1992 main assessment in relation to students' instructional and noninstructional background variables. Discriminant analysis was…

Patterns of responses to the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) that typify deliberate deception of others (faking good) were studied using 100 undergraduates at the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) who were given extra course credit for participation in the study. Females constituted 73% of the final subject pool. Each…

Findings from a study that identified the value of 13 competencies in terms of certification and employment standards for educational administrators are presented in this paper. A survey mailed to 11 large-city school superintendents, 22 state departments of education, and 43 administrator preparation programs produced response rates of 69, 100,…

Traditionally, blacks have been underrepresented in scientific and technical career fields, focusing instead on people and service-oriented careers. To investigate the relationship between career aspiration and various environmental influences (e.g., academic preparation and intellectual orientation, science-oriented hobbies, math and science…

A total of 149 students enrolled in an undergraduate nursing research methods course participated in a study comparing three strategies for using formative evaluation (test feedback throughout a course) to predict students at risk of failure at summative evaluation (the final examination). Students took 12 weekly multiple-choice quizzes, which…

This study tested the convergent and discriminant validity between two theories of college persistence: the Student Attrition Model and the Student Integration Model. The study examined conceptual similarities for each theory to explain departure decisions and examined how both theoretical frameworks enhanced the understanding of the processes…

Applied classical measurement theory was used to study the measurement characteristics of Forms A and B of the Finding Embedded Figures Test (FEFT) when the test is administered in a "no-guessing" or "supply" format. Data provided by 69 students at a private university in the southern United States were used. Both forms of the…

A pilot study was conducted to determine the effects of certification status on the performance of mathematics teachers in Mississippi. A number of new teachers of mathematics in Mississippi agreed to participate in the study. The subjects included 33 regularly certified teachers who had received certification from colleges of education and 14…

The sensitivity of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking with regard to an experimenter-induced response set was investigated. One hundred and ninety-eight subjects were divided into four groups. Before performing the Unusual Uses Activity (Verbal Form A), each group was given a unique set of instructions. Group I received standard instructions…

A survey instrument containing 46 socioeconomic and attitudinal items was administered to a sample of 452 registered voters in the Columbia (Missouri) School District. Three past financial elections and two hypothetical future financial elections were chosen in order to describe and analyze the relationships between socioeconomic and attitudinal…

This paper is concerned with the identification and testing of salient variables which show potential for explaining client use of evaluation information. A single-page interview instrument was devised which aggregated the factors and factor categories collected following an extensive review of the literature. Data were collected from a…

The paper describes the application of discriminant analysis to the identification of academically gifted elementary grade students. The principles of discriminant analysis are explained to provide a weighted profile of scores across predictor variables which are then compared with a criterion measure. An illustration of the method's used with 64…

To test whether parental behavior has an important impact on a child's behavior in later life, records describing home atmosphere during childhood were linked with records of subsequent criminality gathered when subjects were middle aged. Discriminant function analysis based on six variables describing home atmosphere was highly successful in…