Education researchers use surveys widely. Yet, critics question respondents' ability to provide high-quality responses. As schools increasingly use student surveys to drive local policy making, respondents' (lack of) motivation to provide quality responses may threaten the wisdom of using questionnaires for data-based decision making. To better…

Forty-eight middle-class mothers answered questionnaires about their 11-through 18-month-old infants' typical television watching and interest, the frequency and duration of their independent play with toys and dyadic play with and without toys, and whether the television was typically on or not on in the room at the time. Mothers reported that…

A tested approach to college enrollment management is presented that offers a system to assess and develop options for researching, maintaining, or improving enrollment goals. The new approach, the Enrollment Management Matrix, consists of three dimensions: (1) key variables in enrollment management (institutional product, data and information,…

This paper reviews and discusses some critical issues related to the use of questionnaire surveys in educational planning. Ten brief sections discuss survey objectives, coverage, questionnaire design, administration, validity, nonresponse, cost considerations, coding, statistical analysis, and interpretation. Five illustrative questionnaire…

This article is the third contribution to a research methods series dedicated to getting good results from survey research. In this series, "good results" is a stenographic term used to define surveys that yield accurate and meaningful information that decision makers can use with confidence when conducting program evaluation and policy assessment…

The Texas Successful Schools Study examined the educational practices, school characteristics, and educator characteristics that contributed to the success of seven high-performing elementary schools with high proportions of limited-English-proficient (LEP) and economically disadvantaged students. This technical manual further elaborates the…

Direct mail surveys can be an effective method of surveying alumni, but a good survey takes careful planning, scheduling, execution, and follow-up. A six-month timetable is recommended, with three mailings and attention to a variety of details, such as the quality of the survey package and the recording of responses. (MSE)

A guide for conducting alumni surveys is presented, including 22 sample questionnaires. The first section on planning an effective survey strategy includes the following five articles: "Let's Take a Survey" (Cletis Pride); "Surveying Your Alumni: Or an Unexamined College Is Not Worth Loving" (Jocelyn Bartkevicius); "Make Your Survey Scientific"…

Designed for persons with no prior knowledge of statistics, this continuing education course syllabus presents basic information on methods of data collection and analysis in libraries. It is noted that emphasis is placed on concepts rather than mathematical formulas and on reasons for using particular techniques. Topics covered include problem…

The Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM), which was developed over the past 25 years through the Research and Development Center at the University of Texas at Austin, identifies seven stages of concern involved in implementing an innovation: awareness, information, personal concerns, management concerns, consequences, collaboration, and refocusing…

Reports results of survey questioning "School Library Journal's" reviewers of children's literature in four main areas: review aspects (relating plot, commenting on literary quality); reviewer roles (reviewer, critic); review practices; and personal and professional background (demographic questions). The survey questionnaire and 38…

Describes the methodology used (focus groups, classroom observations, interviews, questionnaires, and surveys) and results of the Greenwich (Connecticut) Public Schools' external evaluation of their kindergarten through grade 8 program for gifted and talented students. Also discussed are the implementation of the findings and recommendations into…

A survey of 250 colleges and universities gathered information on the use of market research concerning admitted applicants. Results indicated over half the institutions use market research and offer information about specific methodologies, budgetary support, and use of results. A content analysis of questionnaires used is also presented.…

This guide provides practical advice, based on research expertise, for teachers looking for reliable research results without waste of time or effort. The six sections of the guide present and discuss the decisions and actions that have to be taken to get good results: (1) the pros and cons of collecting information by questionnaire; (2) sampling;…

During the first 8 months of 1982, Independent School District 196 (Rosemount, Minnesota) planned, implemented, and reported on a telephone survey of the district's population to help schools develop the strategies, tactics, and vision necessary in an information society. With the exception of data processing, the survey was handled by district…