Since third party access seems to resist effective control, it may be necessary to restrict the contents of student records to the barest minimum. With the least amount of information being kept, the practice of sharing will be reduced and so will the potential harm to students. (Author)

Notes that useful information can be gathered by examining programs of agricultural teacher conferences. Data presented, gathered from such programs, include whether the conferences were joint or separate, type (all-vocational or technical agriculture), whether they were held on land-grant colleges, length and rotation, unique activities, special…

Discusses computer reduction and interpretation of chemical data in order to determine research trends. (SL)

This article discusses the evaluation of public health in communities, examining common indices, evaluation methods, and uses of findings. (JMB)

Responses to a questionnaire are presented investigating dental care habits and opinions of Yale University enrollees, their use of available community facilities, potential use of a dental program at the Yale Health Plan, and the most acceptable method of paying for care. (MJB)

The most important impact of the Baseline study on vocational education has been on the Congress. Recommendations in the Baseline reports have been written into the vocational education provisions of various pieces of federal educational legislation. (Author/AM)

Surveyed college sophomores to compare survey administration by scanner and by computer. Response rate for the computer-surveyed group (N=125) was 29 percent; for the scanner-surveyed group (N=124), response rate was 49 percent. Computer respondents gave more varied responses and reacted more favorably to the instrument, suggesting strengths of…

Whenever there is a data gathering need and a group of people have input, the group interview may be a viable approach. The authors offer a step-by-step model for conducting group interviews. (JOW)

Syracuse University's use of a personal computer to keep track of alumni reunion registration is described. They can take reservations over the phone, produce lists of returning alumni according to different categories, give catering current meal counts, keep track of special requests, and write personalized confirmation letters. (MLW)

In 1985, the Center for Education Statistics began a review of its elementary and secondary education data collection programs. The intended product of the redesign was a new plan for national data collection from institutions and individuals. This collection of articles describes the redesign project. (RB)

Reasons for not returning a questionnaire were studied among Lutheran church members sent a postcard to indicate no intention of replying. The analysis is based on 431 returned postcards. For most nonresponders, the interest value of the questionnaire topic was not high enough. Many who returned the negative reply card would be resistant…

Reports on a study designed to define the demographic and career characteristics and the values of lawmakers in the United States and Canada. Discusses how this information was used to predict policy decisions. (TW)

The advantages and disadvantages of balanced incomplete block designs are clarified and their use is demonstrated with an empirical example. A procedure for reducing data of this type to analyzable form is proposed, and an analytical approach that is appropriate for the resulting data is illustrated. (Author/BW)

Presents an argument for schools developing a number of curriculum and instruction questions that critically question the place of information technology in school programs. What information is of worth and for what purposes? (MD)

The results of a content analysis of the mail survey methodologies used in three studies of diverse higher education topics are reported. Each study used Dillman's Total Design Method procedures and obtained a high rate of return. (MLW)