Reviews several potential problems that often invalidate statistical tests of social theories. Discusses how there may be very serious identification problems in the estimation of the relationship between executions and homicides, and that serious questions may be raised regarding the validity of any particular estimation of this relationship.…

This report presents the analytic plan for a study of demonstration Title I projects. The study is to be one of distributional equity: what kinds of instructional services are received by what kinds of students. It is mandated by the United States Congress and will provide the basic analysis for possible modifications in the Elementary and…

Statewide assessment data available from two school years, two grade levels, and five sources (achievement tests; student, principal, and teacher questionnaires; and principal interviews), were aggregated to more closely investigate the relationship between student/school characteristics and student achievement. To organize this large number of…

An overview is presented of decision-oriented educational research, based on experiences in a large urban school district and on the literature. Alternative definitions of research use and evaluation use are discussed, with particular attention to the dissemination of research outcomes. (GDC)

This booklet describes research carried out under sponsorship of the Psychological Sciences Division of the U.S. Office of Naval Research during Fiscal Year 1985. The booklet is divided into three programmatic research areas: (1) Engineering Psychology; (2) Personnel and Training; and (3) Group Psychology. Each program is described by an overview…

Presents a summary of nine research reports from a National Educational Computing Conference research workshop whose purpose was to bring together researchers who have been conducting gender-related research in computer science education. Three subgroups discussed the issues of exposure, attraction, and retention of women to computer science. (MDH)

This study of student teachers' beliefs was conducted to track changes in their beliefs about teaching and examine the role of academic and practical experiences in modifying these beliefs. The primary focus of this paper is the evolution of methodology, with extracts from three case studies presented to illustrate the direction the research is…

Challenges some assumptions and methods used in nutrition education practice and research, offers alternative viewpoints for studying and intervening in certain nutrition behaviors, and discusses programmatic and methodological issues which have limited the application of existing theories and data in research and practice of nutrition education.…

A review of existing evaluations of medical, educational, and counseling services for pregnant adolescents and young parents reveals methodological weaknesses. Among the suggestions for improving evaluative studies are recommendations for proper selection of control groups, improved analytic procedures, and formulation of realistic goals. (MH)

Procedures are described to conduct summative evaluations of Talents Unlimited programs. It is assumed that school counselors, administrators, or personnel minimally trained in measurement and statistics are capable of conducting the evaluation, except for doing the statistical analysis. The procedures are composed of: establishing measurable…

Data are presented in support of the validation of the competency-based basic skills curriculum which was implemented in the District of Columbia Public Schools in 1978-79. Strategies for conducting the validation are outlined in detail, including review of tests used, orientation of participants, integration of curricular hierarchies, and…

This report discusses ways to determine why female Federal employees earn less than male Federal employees. Two general approaches are discussed: economic analysis and job content. Economic analysis attempts to measure and explain existing wage differentials between men and women using characteristics of individuals, occupations, and the…