Discusses how computational errors arise in analysis of data and how they can be minimized. Shows that all computations are subject to roundoff/truncation errors and how such errors are propagated and influence the stability and condition of a reaction. Applications to procedures used in analytical chemistry are addressed. (JN)

Visual analysis is examined as the dominant analytical method for single-case time series, in a study with 37 postgraduate research students which varied serial dependence, amount of random variability, and effect size. False alarm rates were high, but miss rates were low, indicating that visual analysts are not conservative judges, and serial…

Described are analytical applications of the theory of random processes, in particular solutions obtained by using statistical procedures known as Monte Carlo techniques. Supercomputer simulations, sampling, integration, ensemble, annealing, and explicit simulation are discussed. (CW)

Summarizes and critiques Berberich's dissertation on cognitive effects on music perception. Comments on the study's unusual data analysis and presentation. States that the main arguments are presented elegantly and clearly, but the study overlooked other issues such as a chapter on related literature. (LS)

Reports the development of an instrument for gathering information about the attitudes of Hong Kong secondary school teachers towards evolution. Describes the establishment, through criteria found in the literature, of a logical and systematic procedure for the validation of this Likert-type instrument. Tentatively found that the 15-item scale was…

This paper argues that inferential statistical analyses as part of group research designs do not provide the kinds of data that are useful in determining the efficacy of clinical intervention with individuals having communication disorders. Replication studies are seen as providing a more fruitful approach to ascertaining the efficacy of clinical…

This article suggests that the choice by institutional researchers to use qualitative or quantitative research is often dictated by time, money, resources, and staff and not necessarily with an understanding of the underlying philosophical assumptions structuring beliefs about methodology, knowledge, and reality. These underlying assumptions are…

This article compares three models that have been the foundation for approaches to the analysis of statistical significance in early childhood research--the Fisherian and the Neyman-Pearson models (both considered "classical" approaches), and the Bayesian model. The article concludes that all three models have a place in the analysis of research…

This paper encourages the use of multiple logistic analysis in early intervention research, to assess the degree of association of multiple factors (such as subject or situational characteristics) with a dichotomous outcome (such as benefitting or not benefitting from an intervention) and to estimate the probability of each outcome. (JDD)

This paper provides a brief description of meta-analysis geared toward readers with limited statistics experience beyond an introductory course. The advantages and disadvantages of meta-analysis and its application in early childhood special education research are noted. (JDD)

Describes developments in multilevel modeling of educational and other social data. Suggests that such a technique be used for school effectiveness studies, political opinion surveys, and area-based studies. Recommends that the inherent hierarchical structure of social science data be reflected in statistical models. Argues that multilevel…

This tutorial summarizes some of the widely known limitations of tests of statistical significance and then focuses on extracting measures of variation accounted for as a supplement to significance testing. Two measures of variation accounted for, eta squared and omega squared, are discussed. Computational formulas, computational examples, and…

Independent descriptive (correlational) and functional (experimental) analyses, conducted with six subjects with profound mental retardation exhibiting self-injurious behavior (SIB), found that the descriptive analysis was useful in identifying the extent to which SIB was related to social versus nonsocial contingencies but was limited in its…

Data reports from South Carolina's 92 independent school districts during 1980-81 were used to calculate prevalence rates of mental retardation and learning disabilities. These prevalence rates were 41.66/1,000 children enrolled for mental retardation and 33.21/1,000 children enrolled for learning disabilities. Additional analysis showed that…

This reaction paper criticizes the characterizations of clusters used in a study concerning a taxonomy of lifestyles of families with severely mentally retarded children, by I. T. Mink and others (EC 211 387). The criticism focuses on the use of cluster scores on criterion variables and use of cluster profiles across studies. (JDD)