The purpose of this study was to determine if factors to predict success in college biology (i.e., prior knowledge of biology or reasoning ability) depend on the instructional method employed (i.e., expository or inquiry). Reasoning ability was found to account for a significant amount of variance in final examination scores, regardless of…

Subjective norms account for a significant, albeit small, proportion of unique variance in intentions. To explore the hypothesis that this effect can be explained largely by individual differences in the degree to which people are apt to be more under normative control, subjects were asked to indicate their intentions, attitudes, and subjective…

This study compares libraries of 222 public historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with those of traditionally white public colleges in 18 states by analyzing number of volumes, staff, and salary totals. In general, HBCUs and non-HBCUs are equal in volumes per student; HBCUs are superior in library staffing, and non-HBCUs are ahead…

Quadrant analysis, a widely-used research technique, is suggested as useful in college or university strategic planning. The technique uses consumer preference data and produces information suitable for a wide variety of curriculum and marketing decisions. Basic quadrant analysis design is described, and advanced variations are discussed, with…

A study investigated the use of econometric analysis to understand the enrollment behavior of students accepted to a college, particularly those requesting financial aid. The experiences of a diverse group of four-year colleges and universities in using this modeling approach are discussed. Data requirements, underlying assumptions, some…

While recent National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) data say athletes with scholarships and black athletes graduate at a higher rate than nonathletes, critics say the rates reflect an overall trend, not results of NCAA regulation, and that athletes denied scholarships because of rigorous academic standards are being ignored. Schools with…

Argues that evaluating a library's collection is not an acceptable substitute for evaluating the collection development process and its developers. With increasing materials costs, overselection can be much more serious than underselection. Several useful methods for evaluating collection development incorporate statistics regarding proportional…

A survey of 1956-91 business school alumni (n=2,000) found marginal probability of giving significantly related to time since graduation, major, willingness to recommend the institution to others, household attributes, family ties to the university, number of other donors known, and availability of employee matching-gift programs. The model…

An updated model of the effect of birth rate on demand for higher education predicts that if current patterns hold, the total demand for higher education by U.S. residents ages 18-24 will increase by 30% over the next decade. The projection assumes a continuation of past funding availability and continued influence of cohort size and international…

A content analysis of 10,279 dissertation abstracts in education from 1950 to 1990 shows that the descriptive design, predominantly in surveys, has dominated. Almost one-fourth of the dissertations used no statistics, and almost one-third failed to find statistically significant results. Few changes are apparent over the years. (SLD)

Focuses on the impact of sex, race, and social networks in the hiring processes of a midsize, high-technology organization using information about applicants (n=35,229) from 1985-94. Reports that for gender, age and education account for all sex differences; for ethnic minorities, the hiring process is partly reliant on social networks. (CMK)

Describes a Web site that makes use of the Comparative Statics Wizard add-in feature for Microsoft Excel. Enables students to focus on economic problems involving optimality, rate of change, and equilibrium solutions. (JEH)

Begins with a discussion of cost and efficiency in education. Presents an empirical model to estimate school-level economies of scale. Applies model to expenditure data set by school from 17 Wyoming school districts. Finds that it costs more per student in a small school than in large schools to achieve similar educational outcomes, thus…

Provides estimates of the 1993-94 returns to education in wage employment in India by gender, age cohort, and location (urban-rural); also evaluates the changes in returns over the period 1983-94 using a large national-level household survey. Finds evidence, for example, of substantial gender and rural-urban differences in returns to schooling.…

An evaluation of a North Carolina supervision program for juvenile offenders--the Intensive Protective Supervision Project--is presented. The program involves extensive and proactive contact between the court counselor, offender, and offender's family. Statistical and field-based evaluation suggest that the project is successful in preventing…