Background: There is uncertainty about the extent to which mildly sub-optimal perinatal characteristics among individuals born near-term (greater than 33 weeks of gestation) are associated with various subsequent childhood problems, including antisocial behavior. There is even more uncertainty about whether the pathway to antisocial behavior…

The scientific method originated centuries ago, but it is taught only to a limited degree in science classes. It is proposed that the scientific method is not just a method for scientists, but also offers a general approach to problem definition and solving and serves as a guide to problem prevention and solution-challenging. The Scientific Method…

This book discusses the motivations that cause adults to go to the public library. It is grouped into eight sections concerning: (1) the research methodology and results used to determine four motivators that were good predictors of library use; (2) the development of library research; (3) several characteristics of library users in terms of…

Power refers to the probability that a statistical test will yield statistically significant results. In spite of the close relationship between power and statistical significance, there is a consistent overemphasis in the literature on statistical significance. This paper discusses statistical significance and its limitations and also includes a…

This study was designed to determine the instructional media competencies that inservice teachers of secondary education teaching disciplines recommend for preservice teachers in their discipline. A total of 975 questionnaires were sent to secondary school teachers in each of 13 disciplines in 25 randomly selected schools in Hawaii Oregon, and…

In workshops for teachers the author provides each participant with five sticks and challenges them to create a variety of configurations. In the process the teachers hypothesize and test a number of geometric notions. (SD)

Addressing areas of conflict between parents and young children, this study reports the results of interviews with parents about parent/child conflict that occurs in such natural settings as the home, the supermarket, and during visits to grandparents. Specifically, the investigation is concerned with three broad issues: (1) the identification of…

The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which collaboration with a more competent peer aids children's ability to solve mathematical balance beam problems under feedback and no-feedback conditions. Subjects were 61 children whose pretest scores on 14 balance beam problems that allowed reliable assessment at five increasingly…

This study of the validity of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test used data from predictive validity studies that were conducted by the GRE Validity Study Service (VSS) in 79 graduate departments. The performance criterion was first-year grades in graduate school. Observed validities were computed, and for each graduate department…

The decline in standardized test scores during the 1960s and 1970s is well documented and is seen in both aptitude and achievement test scores. This paper describes and analyzes the test score trends over the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s for five aptitude tests: (1) the Scholastic Aptitude Test; (2) the American College Test; (3) the Preliminary…

Problems involved in providing practical research experience in research methods courses are discussed. The two points in the research process where time is most critical are selecting measures and data collection. This paper suggests using a data base from previous research and having students conduct simulated studies based on randomly selected…

This paper reviews the application of the EM Algorithm to marginal maximum likelihood estimation of parameters in the latent class model and extends the algorithm to the case where there are monotone homogeneity constraints on the item parameters. It is shown that the EM algorithm can be used to obtain marginal maximum likelihood estimates of the…

A survey of 317 faculty members at three institutions of higher education in western Pennsylvania was conducted to determine how online reference services and library automation affect the attitude of faculty toward several variables: (1) centralization or decentralization of online reference services; (2) willingness to learn to use and pay for…

The purpose of this research was to determine, through multiple regression analysis, the strength of the relationship of each of six predictor variables (undergraduate major, undergraduate grade-point average (GPA), graduate major, graduate GPA, Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Quantitative score, and GRE Verbal score) to academic achievement…

This investigation of the effect of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) on the learning of library skills hypothesized that there would be a substantial difference in the achievement of library skills by those students who received additional drill and practice through the use of CAI and those who received additional drill and practice only from…