The purpose of this paper is to describe best practices in designing and implementing strong quasi-experimental designs (QED) when assessing the effectiveness of policies, programs or practices. The paper first discusses the issues researchers face when choosing to conduct a QED, as opposed to a more rigorous randomized controlled trial design.…

This study presents and analyzes the findings of a 2012 survey of member libraries belonging to the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) about publishers' large journal bundles and compares the results to earlier surveys. The data illuminate five research questions: market penetration, journal bundle construction, collection format shifts,…

In connection with the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009, GAO (Government Accountability Office) was required to study the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC), a federal source of evidence about effective education practices. Operating through a 5-year contract awarded by the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the WWC…

Despite evidence that some dropout prevention programs have positive effects, whether districts in the region are using such evidence-based programs has not been documented. To generate and share knowledge on dropout programs and policies, this report details a project to create a searchable database with information on target audiences,…

This report describes the background of the Association of Research Libraries Microform Project and summarizes results of the survey from which the database of the project's clearinghouse on the bibliographic control of microforms has been constructed. The Microform Project was established in 1981 to assist libraries, microform publishers, and the…

A compilation of responses received from over 100 agencies that participated in a survey conducted in the spring of 1986, this directory lists agencies which, with rare exceptions, meet the following criteria: (1) the agency must be located in the mid-Atlantic region made up of Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, and…

This report on the third phase of a two-year study of human services information clearinghouses discusses clearinghouses in terms of their role in information dissemination and diffusion, planning considerations, operational cost recovery, overlap and duplication in services, and evaluation techniques and measures. Information was gathered from…

This directory presents information on the 1994 census of educational research and development and service improvement organizations in the Mid-Atlantic region (Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania). The introduction describes the survey methodology and provides an overview of the research and development…

This directory presents 1989 information on a census of educational research and development and service improvement organizations in the Mid-Atlantic region (Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania). The introduction describes survey methodology and provides an overview of the research and development…

A three-month study in 1988 examined the feasibility of establishing a postsecondary education information center in Colorado similar to the Massachusetts Higher Education Information Center in Boston. Perceptions of 150 educators, counselors, students, and parents throughout the state were assessed. Findings led to recommendations differing…

A Texas study on prekindergarten and early childhood care that was developed for the Texas legislature in response to an amendment of the Texas Education Code is presented. Also presented are findings on: (1) the developmental appropriateness of prekindergarten programs, defined here as programs for eligible 4-year-olds; (2) the potential for…