Using data collected through telephone interviews with a national sample of adults, this study searched for evidence as to whether interviewers have stronger effects on the responses given to a wide range of questions by older people than on the responses of younger people. Responses to 30 items for which significant interviewer effects had…

The purpose of this study was to apply the tenets of social exchange theory in developing cover letters for mailed surveys. A survey questionnaire designed to measure teachers' attitudes toward tests was mailed to 1200 Kansas teachers. Cover letters were written to create variation in perceived cost (time needed to complete the questionnaire) and…

This manual discusses cost effectiveness in evaluating training modalities in population education for Asian and Pacific nations. Chapter 1 defines training modalities and offers 10 models that are in use in this geographic region. Chapters 2 and 5 discuss evaluation, cost effectiveness versus cost benefit analyses, estimating and analyzing costs,…

Responses of 1,228 elementary school principals and 1,082 kindergarten teachers to a nationwide study of kindergarten programs and practices are summarized in text and tables. Data include half-day vs. full-day schedules, class size, program descriptions, learning goals, activities to involve parents, and major problems. (MLF)

Notes that Career Services Center at University of California-San Diego has conducted career surveys of graduating classes since 1982 and has learned how to conduct survey and use survey data. Discusses how to get started in conducting a graduate survey. Explains how to design survey instrument, draft questions, test survey, distribute survey,…

Results of a national survey of state certification standards for cross-training of regular and special education teachers (n=51, including the District of Columbia) are analyzed relative to implementation of the Regular Education Initiative, a proposal that stresses increased responsibility by regular teachers in the education of handicapped…

This documentation supports the 1981 Survey of Characteristics of Students in Noncollegiate Postsecondary Schools. The survey collected data about students enrolled in occupational programs in public and private non-collegiate postsecondary schools. Information collected includes: (1) age; (2) sex; (3) racial and ethnic background; (4) current…

The scientific literacy of the average citizen is primarily the result of formal education in science. Such education is very important in an increasingly technological society such as the United States. To get a feel for students' understanding and appreciation of science, it is important to examine their mastery of basic skill levels as well as…

Describes an introductory sociology class that used two forms of an in-class survey to conduct experiments regarding response framework: response order and question order. The results of the experiment are presented to the class. This encourages critical thinking and informed skepticism about research methodologies. (MJP)

Many would agree that learning on the Web--a highly autonomous learning environment--may be difficult for individuals who lack motivation and self-regulated learning skills. Using a social cognitive view of academic motivation and self-regulation, the objective of the present study was to investigate the relations between students' motivational…

The data presented in this combined report--"Rankings & Estimates"--provide facts about the extent to which local, state, and national governments commit resources to public education. As one might expect in a nation as diverse as the United States--with respect to economics, geography, and politics--the level of commitment to…

Data on people with disabilities can be used to confirm service needs and to evaluate the resulting impact of services. Disability statistics from surveys and administrative records can play a meaningful role in such efforts. In this article, the authors describe the array of available data and statistics and their potential uses in rehabilitation…

Characteristics of three journals published by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology are examined: Instructional Innovator (II); the Journal of Instructional Development (JID), and the Educational Communications and Technology Journal (ECTJ)--formerly the Audio-Visual Communication Review (AVCR). For each journal a…

A brief, practical overview of "design effects" (DEFFs) is presented for users of the results of sample surveys. The overview is intended to help such users to determine how and when to use DEFFs and to compute them correctly. DEFFs are needed only for inferential statistics, not for descriptive statistics. When the selections for…

This report examines the ability of the nonpsychiatrist physician to provide mental health services in an effort to guide policymakers dealing with the question of whether nonpsychiatrist physicians can, or should, be used to offset the projected shortfall of psychiatrists. The maldistribution of psychiatrists is discussed in chapter 1 of this…