Continues the criticism of the Gerbner et al. Study of the cultivation effects of television on viewers. Argues that it makes unwarranted claims and contains methodological errors. (JMF)

The authors contend that most research in education lacks statistical power. They feel that the poor use of statistics as a tool for enhancing internal validity must be remediated. The adoption of a new convention is proposed in order to put statistical certainty into reasonable perspective. (RLV)

Considers pluses and minuses of establishing a corporate style guide. Surveys articles and conference presentations (published between 1985 and 1995) on style guides. Analyzes significance and contribution of each. Suggests areas for further research, specifically quantitative analysis of the value of style guides. (PA)

Explains that Type I error is a risk undertaken whenever significance tests are conducted, and the chances of committing a Type I error increase as the number of significance tests increases. Notes that adjusting the alpha level because of the number of tests conducted in a given study has no principled basis, commits one to absurd beliefs and…

Tries to distinguish the key insights from some distortions by clarifying the goals of experiment-wise error control that D. O'Keefe correctly identifies as vague and open to misuse. Concludes that a better understanding of the goal of experiment-wise error correction erases many of these "absurdities," but the clarifications necessary…

Responds to Daniel O'Keefe's "Against Familywise Alpha Adjustment," where O'Keefe maintains that one should never attempt to control Type I error introduced when many statistical tests are conducted. Argues that alpha adjustment should be applied only in the narrowly circumscribed instance when the researcher wants to make a strong claim…

Responds to other articles in this colloquy. Notes that they propose that alpha adjustment can appropriately be mandated when the set of tests concerns the key claims of a single theory. Considers how consistent application of this reasoning commits one to bizarre beliefs and research practices--which suggests that this reasoning does not provide…

Calculated power for 6,155 statistical tests in 221 journal articles published in 1982 volumes of "Journal of Abnormal Psychology,""Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology," and "Journal of Personality and Social Psychology." Power to detect small, medium, and large effects was .17, .57, and .83, respectively. Concluded that power of…

Recognizing that there are several tools available for conducting vocational education research, the author emphasizes two perspectives: (1) quantitative research, broadly defined as having an emphasis on numbers, and (2) qualitative research, defined as not having an emphasis on numbers. A balance among methodologies is recommended. (Author/JOW)

An effective method of teaching statistical ideas is to show students how to use a computer package to analyze survey data that they have collected. This paper discusses the advantages of this approach and illustrates it by considering instruction on summarizing distributions of individual variables. The importance of stating results and…

Notes that presence of heterogeneous regression slopes in an analysis of covariance design is equivalent to presence of interaction in randomized-blocks design. Describes modification of the usual graphical representation of heterogeneous regressions that can aid in interpreting significant regions for regression surfaces. (NB)

Quantitative research methods produce factual, reliable, and generalizable data. Qualitative methods generate rich, detailed, valid process data. Ways to integrate them include (1) using qualitative methods to develop quantitative instruments; (2) using qualitative methods to explain quantitative findings; (3) using quantitative methods to…

The need for formal quantification of conversational analysis is discussed. Formal quantification provides grounds that a body of research be taken seriously and gives it a certain relevance. At the same time, the constraints inherent in working with naturally occurring events, such as conversations, make formal quantification difficult. (49…

Responds to counterpoints to original paper (Moon, Dillon, and Sprenkle, 1990). Describes continuum of social science inquiry paradigms as framework for exploring assumptions underlying respective positions. Addresses key issues raised by respondents and encourages balance in research efforts and continuing dialogue. Restates basic thesis that…

This article presents the author's response to the comments provided by Farkas, Hardy, Williams, and Zipp regarding his article on the teaching of statistics in graduate programs. The author mentions two issues: Conceptually, what are the needs for making changes in the graduate statistics curriculum? And practically, what are the merits of…