Accountability is both highly complex and highly sensitive, say these writers, who feel that it is not yet technically feasible, other than in a piecemeal sense. A list of the stages through which a total accountability system must develop are presented here. (Editor/RK)

This article proposes a different way for curriculum developers to visualize the curriculum-building process. The author suggests a method to assist faculty in incorporating the ideas that authorities in the field have set forth. (Author/CT)

Three groups of kindergarten-age children referred for hyperactivity, who varied with regard to symptom pervasiveness, were compared with each other and with a group of normal controls on a variety of biological, psychological, and behavioral variables. Direct observation, rather than biological and psychological test data, most clearly…

In contrast to Bogdan's approach (outlined in a preceding article), which considers fieldwork to be a research method, this author views ethnographic fieldwork as a paradigm. His graduate course in fieldwork concentrates on interpretation and stresses the quality, quantity, and intimacy of human relationships between observers and their subjects.…

Problems that face evaluators, including field based evaluations, are discussed. The author states that open communication, access to data, and an ability to be accepted are paramount; knowledge of randomness, robustness and homoscedasticity may be secondary. (Author/PN)

Success in exchanging data with other institutions depends on the purpose of the exchange, the complexity of the data involved, the effort required to participate, and the frequency with which responses are requested. Common sense, diplomacy, and selling the responding institution on the benefits of participating assure a successful exchange. (MLW)

This critique of prevalent conceptual methodologies in research in library administration examines the current research methodologies, relates them to the positivistic orientation of some social scientists, indicates why they are inappropriate, and suggests how research in library administration can be made more meaningful and relevant.…

A laboratory computer system based on the Commodore PET 2001 is described including three applications for the undergraduate analytical chemistry laboratory: (1) recording a UV-visible absorption spectrum; (2) recording and use of calibration curves; and (3) recording potentiometric data. Lists of data acquisition programs described are available…

The impact of television on mass culture and of computer technology on research in the social sciences and humanities is discussed. Questions are raised concerning the quality of research based on information available from computers. It is suggested that "a super-abundance of information is no substitute for wisdom." (PP)

Examined the utility of the aggregation method as a measure of behavioral consistency in 26 studies involving computer-generated, repeated-measurement data. Concluded that aggregation produces spuriously high estimates of behavioral consistency. The Spearman-Brown prophecy formula and coefficient alpha accurately predict the results of the…

The modern world is characterized by global interdependence and a shift in society to information as the basic resource. The amount and quality of education required to be functionally literate in an information-based society will keep growing. (MLW)

Not all data for a program evaluation may be equally valuable, and costs of collection may vary when using several methods to obtain data from several sources. An approach to maximize information yield for a fixed, limited budget using a mathematical technique known as linear programming is described and generalized. (Author/CM)

Proposes a model through which researcher/educators can identify critical issues which confront large numbers of persons in the society, find the facts from research relevant to the issues, integrate these findings, and, restate them in language appropriate to the persons affected. Presents innovative ways of disseminating this information.…

Meta analysis refers to the synthesis of research findings in which results of multiple studies are compared, contrasted, and reanalyzed. Benefits of meta analysis to the field of health research include: (1) the transformation of diverse findings into a common metric; and (2) improvement of research techniques and reports. (JN)

The ERS Standard for Program Evaluation encompass front-end analysis, evaluability assessment, formative evaluation, impact evaluation, program monitoring, and evaluation of evaluation. Written as simple admonitory statements, the Standards are organized into sections on formative and negotiation, structure and design, data collection and…