A New York State project created a water quality database for private drinking water supplies, using the statewide educational program to collect the data. Another goal was to develop this program so rural residents could increase their knowledge of water supply management. (Author)

Discusses aspects of Native American crime: deficiencies of crime data collection on reservations by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; 1985 crime rates for reservations compared to national rates; prevalence of alcohol-related crimes; a survey of Colville reservation (Washington) residents about crime and tribal courts; and mainstream invisibility of…

This study describes how much and in what ways authors of research studies fail to include adequate information about data collection. Results based on analysis of 220 articles from 22 journals show that the quality of measurement reporting continues to be a problem. (SLD)

Describes a program for humane care of the dying in long-term care facilities including the data collection process for clinical practice and learning needs assessment, use of needs assessment in continuing education, and evaluation of the continuing-education program. (SK)

Suggests two complementary frameworks for providing validity evidence for rating data. One conceptualizes raters as data collection instruments that should be subject to traditional procedures for establishing validity evidence; the other evaluates studies using raters from an experimental design perspective allowing the assessment of the study's…

Introduces this special issue on safe schools. Two articles concentrate on educational theory related to safe schools, and two articles discuss the analysis of data about school safety. The final three articles describe the activities of three safe-school programs. (SLD)

Investigates the effectiveness of information design principles and feedback-based usability testing in developing clinical questionnaires. Finds that a form developed using information design principles collected significantly more data than did a control form. (SR)

Reviews the literature and outlines a framework for performance measurement and evaluation within post-secondary continuing education. In the framework, performance measurement serves as ongoing data collection and decision support, placing outputs, outcomes, and ratios as performance indicators in a matrix. (SLD)

Presents an assessment tool for Women's Studies Programs, a survey based on the student-oriented instruments found in "The Courage to Question: Women's Studies and Student Learning" and "Students at the Center: Feminist Assessment," both edited by Caryn Musil. Evaluates the survey as an assessment tool and for gathering student data. (DSK)

This qualitative inquiry examined the value of collecting and analyzing preservice teachers' pre- and postsemester metaphors about teaching by comparing the orientational content of the metaphors to preservice teachers' expressed beliefs and practices. Results show the usefulness of metaphors as a source of information about teachers' professional…

Nine oral histories of retired nurses were collected by 18 nursing students, whose attitudes toward nursing research were significantly more positive compared to 20 nonparticipants. Themes elicited from the histories showed the influence of World War II, technology, and intensive care on nursing practice in this century. (SK)

Argues that focus groups provide users with valuable qualitative data not readily obtained with any other data-collection technique. Describes the focus-group process, including participant selection, moderator role, phases of the process, and advantages and disadvantages. Suggests ways that business communication instructors can incorporate the…

Describes a statistics activity involving estimation of length that provides interesting data for analysis and can help students develop an appreciation for experimental design. Teachers can easily adapt this activity to suit a wide range of levels, and the data produced can motivate the practice of a wide variety of statistical techniques. (ASK)

This study examined the representativeness of a time-sampling observational procedure to evaluate students with behavior disorders by examining error in samples of varying size in comparison to a criterion measure. Analyses of both single subject and multiple subject designs suggested that samples of 16 to 20 observational sessions of eight-minute…

Discusses design goals, space requirements, and need for mobile furniture and "imagination stations" at Michigan's Midland Public High School science technology addition. Describes the architectural design, costs, and specifications. Includes floor plans, general description, photos and a list of consultants, manufacturers, and suppliers…