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)

Rejects Peter C. Gronn's criticisms of structured observation as a method for studying administrators, arguing that these criticisms grow from a limited conception of administration and an overzealous promotion of alternative research techniques. (PGD)

A Commodore-64 microcomputer was used to develop a system which is useful for a variety of teaching laboratory and real time control applications. Hardware and software requirements and examples of experimental work with the system are provided. (JN)

A Kansas school district administrative evaluation plan is outlined emphasizing continuity and compatibility of administrative positions. The plan has improved administrative intraschool relationships. (MD)

Overview of federal collection of health statistics highlights federal budgets; the National Center for Health Statistics (role, periodicity report); vital statistics (surveys of physicians, hospitals, nursing homes); household surveys (National Health Interview Survey); and proposed reorganization of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of…

The federal government, credit bureaus, banks, and insurance and telephone companies all maintain files on clients. Once available, the temptation to use information on file is often irresistible. In terms of personal privacy, the most frightening development is the growth of computer-matching programs, where two agencies check each others' files.…

Discusses the domain of measurement and evaluation: methods of data collection, focus of evaluation, criteria for evaluation, and purpose of evaluation. (MLH)

An educational feasibility framework is described which considers constraints to feasibility, sources of data for determining feasibility, and feasibility study methodology. (Author)

This document is a comprehensive guide to the wide range of statistical activities under way and planned at the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). This edition of "Programs and Plans" presents a few user-friendly enhancements, including an index to assist the reader in locating information on popular education topics such…

This book offers useful, prescriptive advice on how to enter different field settings for interviewing and observation. The chapters of part 1, "Stages of Access," are: (1) "Finding Informants"; (2) "Human Subjects and Permission To Contact Informants"; (3) "Making Initial Contact"; (4) "Developing a Rapport"; and (5) "Exiting: Ending the…

This paper describes the use of focus groups as a qualitative research method. The focus group is a carefully designed discussion that allows people to express their points of view and provide researchers with indicators of program impact. Participants in focus groups possess certain characteristics related to the subject under study. They are…

This book, designed for novice researchers, provides a step-by-step guide to the development of a research project. It emphasizes learning how to do qualitative work and provides specific examples from real studies. The chapters are: (1) "Deciding To Do a Qualitative Study"; (2) "Designing Qualitative Studies"; (3) "Collecting Qualitative Data";…

This manual describes the development of the surveys fielded in 2003 under the National Household Education Surveys Program (NHES: 2003). It describes how the questionnaires were designed, how the samples were developed, data collection experiences, and file information needed to analyze the NHES: 2003 data sets. The surveys fielded as part of…

Census 2000 reported large increases from Census 1990 in the number of Hispanics identifying themselves as "other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino" and produced a lower count of several Central and South American nationalities compared to projections based on data tracking immigration trends. This study describes an alternative estimate of the…