An instrument to assist in assessing textbooks was created to provide a concise format for comparison and evaluation. Textbook characteristics were selected to illustrate content and proportion of characteristics of textbooks. Nine textbook characteristics were selected for quantifying the content areas of textbooks: (1) number of pages in the…

In an effort to improve the ways in which words are learned, the Johnson O'Connor Research Foundation (JOCRF) is attempting to determine the difficulty level of all non-technical words in the English language. This item banking project entails: (1) identifying words that should be calibrated; (2) writing a test item for each word; (3) testing the…

A study examined whether a beneficial effect on children's literacy development accrues from the use of the Little Books with kindergarten children, and identified differential effects on kindergarten achievement according to treatment type, community status, and school type. From a sample of 40 Newfoundland schools, schools were grouped into…

To determine where given Virginia institutions of higher education stand in the aggregate regarding administrators' salaries among similar institutions, salary information provided by chief academic officers of eight senior public-supported institutions in Virginia for their administrative faculty was compared with data from other United States…

The Exstatix statistical analysis software package by K. C. Killion for use with Macintosh computers is evaluated. In evaluating the package, the framework developed by C. J. Ansorge et al. (1986) was used. This framework encompasses features such as transportability of files, compatibility of files with other Macintosh software, and ability to…

After summarizing the widespread occurrence and male orientation of television beer advertising, this paper describes a study of the thematic content of beer commercials. Two-hundred and six beer advertisements which appeared on WTBS, the USA Network, and ESPN between September 1983 and September 1985 were studied. Event-specific ads and those in…

A modified version of the predominant economic impact model (Caffrey-Isaacs) is presented for use by higher education institutions in preparing and carrying out economic impact studies. Use of the modified version allows small institutional research offices to conduct studies in a timely manner with a methodology that remains within the boundaries…

Since about 1962, researchers have explored the effectiveness of educational software in the schools under various conditions, and many have concluded that computer assisted instruction (CAI) is effective. Many of the studies reviewed to support this conclusion, however, had design flaws. Reviews of educational software effectiveness studies have…

This paper provides empirical data on two approaches to statistically equate scores derived from the direct assessment of writing. These methods are linear equating and equating based on the general polychotomous form of the Rasch model. Data from the Maryland Functional Writing Test are used to equate scores obtained from two prompts given in…

This study was undertaken to generate and analyze survey data for evaluating time management practices among directors of large academic libraries. Questionnaires were mailed to 194 library directors and the 159 survey respondents (82%) provided information about their experience and other characteristics; how they allocate their time; to what…

This study guide provides an overview and model of business research. First, introductory material defines research and discusses the benefits of studying business research methods for both producers and consumers of research. In the next section different types of research are discussed, including experimental, ex post facto, quasi-experimental,…

This study describes one type of analysis used to gather data on attitudinal climate in elementary schools. The Quality of School Life Scale (QSL) was administered to 142 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students in one southwestern elementary school. Responses to the QSL were analyzed using statistical and nonstatistical techniques. The data results are…

The use of quantitative graphics in newspapers requires achieving a balance between being accurate and getting the attention of the reader. The statistical representations in newspapers are drawn by graphic designers whose key technique is fusion--the striking combination of two visual images. This technique often results in visual puns,…

The current practice of teaching about East Asia in North Dakota schools was surveyed. From a list of 607 North Dakota social studies teachers, ranging from grades 7 to 12 in both public and private schools, a target sample of 266 teachers was administered a questionnaire. All regions of the states, with at least one teacher form each school, were…

The Mantel-Haenszel procedure (MH) is a practical, inexpensive, and powerful way to detect test items that function differently in two groups of examinees. MH is a natural outgrowth of previously suggested chi square methods, and it is also related to methods based on item response theory. The study of items that function differently for two…