Delineates how changes in research methodology have impacted field of gerontology over past three decades. Illustrates impact of methodological changes on gerontology by discussing example of age-cohort-period problem as an innovation in research design. Examines case of confirmatory factor analysis as an illustration of how methodological…

Presents case consultation in which consultants respond to issues of urban planning for mass transit (subway) system and how to maximize prevention of intentional injury within subway stations. Also asks what type of research study should be used and what type of data collected once system is operating. Case is discussed by Morton M. Silverman and…

Addresses the need of technical communicators to become critical readers of empirical research. Presents simple definitions of selected research designs and statistical concepts. Accompanies these definitions with concrete examples related to the field of technical communication research. (SR)

The authors present a plan for vocational education research that could help decision makers focus on critical research areas. The plan is described in a schematic format that highlights the critical nature of vocational education research planning. A blending of policy and programmatic considerations is suggested. (Author/CH)

Suggests that researchers of counseling effects adopt methods of assessing and representing clients' cognitive structures. A variety of methods are presented, some of which are illustrated in a brief case report. The advantages and limitations of the methods presented are discussed. (Author/JAC)

Presents an alternative approach to the life cycle which avoids the creation of monolithic age categories and exclusive reliance upon the unidimensional index of chronological age. Data exemplify the potential utility of age status graphing in understanding the life cycle. (JAC)

Considers alternative strategies for optimizing statistical power in applied psychological research, including increasing sample size, combining predictors, and increasing alpha. Concluded that a priori power analysis should be a major consideration in any test of an hypothesis. Alpha level adjustment should be viewed as useful for increasing…

Develops random-effects probit model for case in which outcome of interest is series of correlated binary responses, obtained as product of longitudinal response process where individual is repeatedly classified on binary outcome variable or in multilevel or clustered problems in which individuals within groups are considered to share…

Notes that conventional statistical models are not suited for analysis of nonindependent observations produced by family systems. Demonstrates how structural equation modeling enables the study of family processes in a way that is consistent with a systems perspective. Uses analysis of perceived coerciveness in two-parent, two-child families to…

A new procedure for determining the optimal number of interpretable factors to extract from a correlation matrix is introduced and compared to more conventional procedures. The new method evaluates the magnitude of the very simple structure index of goodness of fit for factor solutions of increasing rank. (Author/CTM)

Factors that influence the sample size necessary for longitudinal evaluations include the nature of the evaluation questions, nature of available comparison groups, consistency of the treatment in different sites, effect size, attrition rate, significance level for statistical tests, and statistical power. (Author/GDC)

Empirical studies based on psychoanalytic model have concentrated on study of therapeutic process and diagnostic groups such as borderline personality disorder (BPD). Work in BPD provides paradigm for future approaches in study of second-order inferences removed from immediate observational field. Concept of structure may be clarified by empirical…

The development of the between-class, within-class analysis has facilitated a more refined analysis of classroom processes and influences: those which affect a class as a whole, a student within a class, or an individual student independent of context. However, a problem arises in using a between-class, within-class analysis to infer a particular…

Describes the use of repeated-measures designs in the study of whole families, specifically differences in perception between family members. Addresses the specific advantages and disadvantages of these designs; analysis of variance and multivariate analysis of variance applications; and practical issues of assumptions, multiple comparison,…

Develops basic concepts of generalizability theory using hypothetical study of reliability of scores of vocational interest inventory. Asserts that generalizability theory makes it possible to consider all possible sources of unreliability simultaneously and to design optimal decision-making study. (NB)