Provides example of use of exploratory growth modeling to examine changes over time in functioning of 172 families who underwent treatment in Project Good Start prevention program. Addresses within-family and between-family research questions. Results highlight heterogeneity across families in direction and rate of family function change and its…

Presents findings from a British study of nearly 200 teachers who attended in-service education and training (INSET) courses at 4 British universities. Examines perceptions of course effects on teacher abilities. Finds teachers who felt their skills improved also reported improvements in student attainment. States INSET improves teachers'…

Presents a secondary teaching lesson that uses statistical information about colleges and universities offering a degree in geography. Provides a sequenced lesson plan that asks students to develop a map showing the frequency and distribution of geography programs and interpret the findings. (CFR)

This article shows how the methods of survival analysis (also known as event history analysis) lend themselves to the study of the timing of educational events. Using examples from teacher attrition and student dropout research, survival methods are introduced for building statistical models of the risk of event occurrence over time. (Author/SLD)

Examines the manner in which the data-driven character of child development research limits the validity and penetration of the search for new knowledge and understanding, and imposes a skewed image of what is known about children and childhood by excluding the less objective observations and insights of the clinicians and practitioners.…

Describes a variety of analytic tools available to address questions about development, including growth-curve methods, hierarchical regressions, and both primary and secondary data analysis of project and extant data. Demonstrates some of these techniques using extant data from two projects to examine questions about treatment efficacy and…

An alternative analysis of minority enrollments in U.S. colleges and universities suggests that little progress has been made in minority access to higher education. The current informal backlash against affirmative action and de facto college segregation inhibit racial fairness. Segregation and restricted access should be redefined as being due…

Reports on a study that uses psychometric modeling to rank the appeal of a variety of children's astronomical ideas on a single uniform scale. Findings support the view that alternative conceptions may be markers of progress toward understanding. Contains 82 references. (DDR)

Examined the ability to access patterns of pedagogical knowledge about teaching and learning operating when experienced English-as-a-Second-Language teachers taught, using both qualitative and quantitative analyses. Teachers viewed and discussed videotapes of their own lessons. Analysis of their recollections suggests that a combination of…

Outlines a stepwise regression analysis technique for predicting faculty needs in a small technical university, using King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (Saudi Arabia) for illustration. Validation with microcomputer software suggests the method is an attractive option for college and university planners in forecasting manpower needs.…

Studies students' perceptions of the moral atmosphere in various levels of secondary schools in the Netherlands. Reveals significant differences between schools and school types based on analysis of variance. Does not claim any ability to predict undesirable behaviors at school based on measures of moral atmosphere. Includes the survey form. (DSK)

Argues that economics education provides many benefits to students, including preparation for law school. Examines the ranking of economics majors on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Finds that among the 14 majors having more than 2,000 students take the LSAT, economics students received the highest average score. (DSK)

The value of a multimethod, quantitative and qualitative approach to evaluation in an applied setting is demonstrated through a case study of an evaluation of a classroom literacy intervention (Classroom Publishing) that had been implemented without regard to subsequent evaluation. The two types of techniques complemented each other to create…

Two approaches to student-based evaluations were examined for their potential application to distance education: a quantitative measure of interaction, and a qualitative, formative evaluation approach--Small Group Instructional Diagnosis (SGID)--in which a facilitator gathers data about instruction from students. Assesses aspects of the…

Discusses the historical region of Istria, which is now divided between Italy, Slovenia, and for the largest part, Croatia, and where three national languages, Italian, Slovene, and Croatian function as standard varieties in the respective territories. Focuses on the role of Croatian in language planning and presents statistical data on language…