Campuses should act on salary equity issues before litigation arises. Campuses must resolve database problems, unfocused studies, problems in data interpretations, and constraints on implementing findings if they are to take timely actions. Internally motivated monitoring and court-ordered monitoring are discussed. (Author/MLW)

The number of regression studies being employed in sex discrimination cases is increasing. The need for caution in the case of multiple regression must be emphasized. Statistical concerns in sex discrimination cases are highlighted. (MLW)

Thorndike's Stanford-Binet data suggest that from 1932 to 1971-72 preschool children enjoyed greater IQ gains than older children, possibly due to the rise of television. Additional analysis indicated that gains were either due to sampling error or totally antedated 1947. Gains of 12 IQ points were found for Americans. (Author/EGS)

This study investigated associations between selected infant and maternal characteristics and autism risk in 4381 California children with autism. Increased risk factors were observed for males, multiple births, and children born to black mothers. Risk increased as maternal age and maternal education increased. Children of immigrant mothers had…

Examines patterns of enrollment, choice, and degree attainment of undergraduate students attending college between 1975 and 1986 in five metropolitan areas with private institutions as well as public systems enlarged during the postwar period. Finds that minority access as well as achievement have diminished considerably since the mid-1970s. (DM)

Variability of aided sound field thresholds (ASFTs) was examined in 30 hearing-impaired children comprising 2 age groups (5-9 and 10-14 years). Findings showed that 2 ASFTs would have to differ by more than 10 decibels across signal test frequencies to attain statistical significance. (Author/DB)

Advocates greater use of the Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS), computer readable samples of individual and household records from the manuscript census schedules. An analysis of southern migration during and after World War II reveals the wealth of material in PUMS and the many ways it can be used. (MJP)

Areas in which human judgment must be used to conduct a fair statistical analysis of college faculty salary equity are discussed, and guidelines for making those judgments are offered. Four decision elements and four fields of study are considered as the basis for establishing criteria for selecting the appropriate regression model. (Author/MSE)

The use of contingency tables in creating a statistical profile of a college student population is explained. The method provides simultaneous cross-indexed frequency distribution of two database fields. Common uses are discussed, and application is illustrated in a hypothetical student retention study. Extensions for nonnumerical fields and…

Studies conditions under which women and minorities were hired for managerial positions in higher education administration. Determines that odds of a new person hired being a woman or minority is positively affected if the previous employee in that position was a woman or minority. Finds that past segregation is among the leading influences on…

Finds the acoustical environment of kindergartens to be a compound product of teacher-pupil-object activity with a thrust that may undermine educators' intentions. Observes that teachers working with an integrated pedagogical code must make their perceptions visible and hearable. Finds that uncontrolled sound does not foster teacher-student…

This commentary on the mismeasurement of language and reading comprehension abilities argues that quantitative measures of complex behaviors and subsequent ranking of individual performance often do not accurately reflect the abstract constructs they purport to measure, and inappropriate quantification and ranking create and perpetuate potentially…

This paper addresses the conceptual issues of combining qualitative and quantitative methods in early intervention research by illustrating how two analytic approaches were used for different mixed-method purposes in the study of preschool inclusion. It describes practical strategies for conducting mixed-method data analysis in terms of data…

The Quality of Life Index was completed by 120 residential staff for 60 adults with severe to profound mental retardation residing in group homes. Measurement integrity was analyzed through use of principal components analysis, confirmatory rotation of components, and Cronbach alphas. Results are compared with results obtained from a more…

A cluster analytic study was conducted to derive behaviorally homogeneous subtypes of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) based on a range of behavioral symptoms that characterize autism. Analysis of data on 34 children with PDD, 27 of whom met criteria for autism, indicated 4 distinct groups differing on independent measures of social,…