A University of California, Berkeley, self-study is described that measures the effectiveness of the regular public information activities crucial to the day-to-day communication between a public university and its constituencies. The framework (scope, objectives, deadlines), research, data collection, and a summary of the report's findings are…

Describes the reporting system implemented by Mercer County Community College (New Jersey) to account for the costs of responding to external requests for information. Outlines the procedures for assigning priority to data requests, filling the requests, and reporting costs. Provides samples of forms. (JP)

Discusses the procedures for collecting unemployment statistics. Criticisms of and alternatives to this method are explored. The youth unemployment rate is discussed in relation to these problems and to the goals of vocational and technical education. (CT)

The nature of scientific investigation involves both data collection and interpretation. The liberal arts college is so structured that these skills can be developed in many students for whom a university setting would be inappropriate. (Author/MLW)

The rising demand for accountability has had a great influence on the design and use of management information systems. The purposes of accountability, needs assessment, and program evaluation would be well served if a set of indlcators could include information about the outcomes of higher education. (MLW)

Errors of misclassification and their effects on categorical data analysis are discussed. The chi-square test for equality of two proportions is examined in the context of errorful categorical data. The effects of such errors are illustrated. A correction procedure is developed and discussed. (Author/MH)

A census-taking activity that can be conducted by elementary students is described. Sample data sheets and report forms are included. (MK)

The vocabulary of sampling is examined in order to provide a clear understanding of basic sampling concepts. The basic vocabulary of sampling (population, probability sampling, precision and bias, stratification), the fundamental grammar of sampling (random sample), sample size and response rate, and cluster, multiphase, snowball, and panel…

The analysis of questionnaire data involves a sequence of planned activities beginning with questionnaire development and concluding with a report of the results of the study. Most questionnaires require the use of numerical codes to facilitate computer processing of results and to select appropriate statistical procedures for summarizing the…

A description of the commercially produced Harris Data Memory is presented. Operation instructions, memory capabilities, data storage, and applications are included. Usefulness of the instrument to instruction in all of the sciences is considered. (SA)

Describes a needs assessment model which can be used by grass-roots organizations to collect socioeconomic and demographic data in Hispanic and other ethnic-minority communities. (CM)

Teaching mathematics as one would teach a science course (that is, as a field of intellectual inquiry) is advocated. Four illustrative activities, most appropriate for grades 5-8, are suggested. (MK)

Public Law 94-311, passed by Congress in 1976, called for the expansion of statistics reflecting the socioeconomic status of Hispanics. The article discusses the state of the Hispanic community in early 1979, one agency's difficulties in implementing the mandates of P.L. 94-311, and the status of other agencies' work on the law's requirements. (NQ)

Determined to learn first-hand what kinds of data are the most meaningful to admissions directors, a survey of 80 colleges and universities was conducted to inquire about the range of acceptability of their own school transcript practices. Results are discussed. (Editor/RK)

Management information needs vary as a function of departmental complexity, goals, and services. A model is proposed to enable institutional researchers to serve better the distinctive information needs of academic departments and their chairmen. (LBH)