The state board in Victoria, Australia, is beginning to collect data on adult education, measuring student contact hours and their ratio to costs. The quantitative data are being used for a variety of planning purposes. (SK)

Paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould contends that .400 hitter in baseball is thing of past because game has gotten better. The higher average, the harder to stand out from that average. Applies concept to education by comparing students' SAT scores over almost 20 years with grade-point averages. Students with highest grades received highest SAT…

Editorial on the objectives and implications of pending changes in the type of educational research funded by the federal government based on the U.S. Department of Education's "Strategic Plan 2002-2007," available at www.ed.gov/pubs/stratplan2002-07/index.html. (Contains 13 references.) (PKP)

The strengths of vocational psychology include quantitative foundations, theory-driven research, and focus on vocational assessment. Weaknesses are overemphasis on quantitative methods, lack of context, and class-bound perceptions of work. Threats include appropriation by related disciplines and the practice of vocational counseling by those…

Argues that state school-finance reform efforts are focused on equalizing property-tax bases and per-pupil expenditures rather than on improving student performance to meet educational adequacy standards. Uses data from Wisconsin and Texas to measure cost differences, frequently substantial, among school districts. Demonstrates use of…

This paper examines some of the implications of testing for statistical significance. After considering methodological issues raised by two examples from the literature, the paper proceeds to look in detail at a variety of misunderstandings attached to the reporting of "significant" results. It is concluded that significance testing is of limited…

A search of the ERIC database and a review of the literature suggests that meta-analysis is ignored by philosophers, a situation that is regrettable but remediable. Meta-analysis is a method by which one attempts to integrate findings quantitatively from several research studies related to a common general topic. Philosophers should certainly pay…

Causal models often omit variables that should be included, use variables that are measured fallibly, and ignore time lags. Such practices can lead to severely biased estimates of effects. The discussion explains these biases and shows how to take them into account. (Author)

The adequacy of traditional effect size measures for research synthesis is challenged. Analogues to analysis of variance and multiple regression analysis for effect sizes are presented. The importance of tests for the consistency of effect sizes in interpreting results, and problems in obtaining well-specified models for meta-analysis are…

Attempts to distill a growing technical literature on repeated-measures analysis of variance into a few simple principles for selecting an analytic technique. Argues that researchers ought not opt for a general analysis strategy when current computer technology makes it possible to select the optimal analysis technique for a given data set. (RH)

This paper discusses the objectives that would be appropriate for statistics classes for students who are not majoring in statistics, evaluation, or quantitative research design. These "non-majors" should be able to choose appropriate analytical methods for specific sets of data based on the research question and the nature of the data, and they…

Calls attention to limitations and dangers in routine application of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), describes some alternative procedures, and laments the necessarily pervasive character of the statistical problem. (Author)

Explains a procedure to avoid the detrimental biases of conventional self-reports of training outcomes. The evaluation format provided is a method for using statistical procedures to increase the accuracy of self-reports by overcoming response-shift-bias. (Author/MER)

The author discusses the methodology underlying the national survey, Primary Education in England, and the way data are presented. He finds much to commend and some things to criticize. (Editor/SJL)

Defends the theory of cultivation effects of television viewing on audiences against the criticism of Paul Hirsch. Contends that the data is broad-based and that the framework of mainstreaming and resonance shows systematic and consistent patterns within subgroups. (See CS 705 469 and CS 705 539.) (JMF)