Multi-element research designs (alternating treatments or simultaneous treatments) are capable of revealing when sequence effects operate, but even more valuably, they can be used to assess the effects of potential multiple treatment interference and to study contextual interactions other than sequence effects. (JDD)

Findings indicated that as the proportion of nominators declines, sociometric classifications become less accurate. Of the groups usually compared in studies of children's social adjustment, the average and neglected groups appear least resistant, and the rejected group most resistant, to classification errors due to nominator attrition. (RH)

The nonnormed fit index's dependence on sample size in covariance structure analysis is discussed. Contrary to K. A. Bollen (1986) (whose alternative index depends on sample size), it is shown that the mean of the nonnormed fit index is independent of sample size for true and almost true models. (Author/TJH)

Reviews some major research issues about ethnic minority families, focusing on conceptual, theoretical, and methodological concerns in study of ethnic minority families. Discusses concerns in relation to their influence on developing and implementing interventions for ethnic minority families. (Author/NB)

In round two of a debate begun in November 1988, this article again reemphasizes the poor quality of Jeanne Chall's experimental phonics research and reporting inaccuracies that invalidate her conclusions. The basic flaw might lie in Chall's belief system. Includes 57 references. (MLH)

Furthering the "Kappan" phonics debate, the author claims that her research results were misunderstood by critic Marie Carbo and that evidence concerning phonics' instructional benefits is cumulative, particularly for children at risk. Based on 80 years' empirical and theoretical support, Carbo's "no conclusion" stance is unsupportable. Includes…

Presents the results of a detailed study of errors in a musical database. Provides an equation for estimating the effect of an overall error-rate on arbitrary analytic measures derived from the database. Examines four methods of error detection: manual proof-reading, double-entry method, programed syntactic checking, and programed heuristics. (GEA)

A review of articles in the first six volumes of the "Journal of Vocational Home Economics Education" was conducted. Questions concerned modes of inquiry, topics, and types of articles. Recommendations are made that encourage researchers to use alternative approaches to inquiry. (JOW)

This rejoinder to K. K. Fung's critique of the authors' data-envelopment analysis (DEA) article argues that eliminating inefficiency by competition requires perfect information, not just freedom of entry and exit. DEA provides the necessary information, but is not intended as a mechanism to replace peer review. (MLH)

This commentary responds to a critique (EC 610 642) of a study on professional acceptability of various treatment procedures for challenging behaviors exhibited by individuals with disabilities. The commentary asserts that treatment options should be evaluated in terms of probability of success, time factors, distress caused by the procedure, and…

Research with couples requires measurement and data analytic techniques extending beyond those typically used with individuals. Measurement issues in couples' research that influence subsequent approaches to data analysis are reviewed, with emphasis on issues of nonindependence in couples' data. Univariate and multivariate analyses of…

Replies to Gholson's commentary (PS 522 655) on the article by Coldren and Colombo in this monograph. Discusses limitations in the shift procedure methodology traditionally used in research on discrimination learning, and considers the use in future research of methodologies that can precisely decompose children's responses to feedback during…

It is argued that reports of evaluation activities often leave much to be desired because they fail to portray the real trial-and-error processes of the research study and do not report on the logic in use at the time of the inquiry. (SLD)

Before instruction, 192 nursing students completed Kolb's Learning Style Inventory; 53.7% were concrete learners, 46.3% reflective. No significant associations appeared between learning style and age, sex, prior employment, or educational attainment. Methodological problems were found with using this instrument in nursing education. (SK)

Argues that an article by E. Goetz and M. Sadoski in the same issue of this journal is not only inaccurate in its criticisms but is inconsistent in its claims relevant to the research on the memorability of highly interesting but unimportant textual content, also known as "seductive details." (RS)