Compared student satisfaction ratings for CHOICES, an interactive computer-based career guidance program, and the Self-Directed Search, a pencil-and-paper career planning guide. Results indicated a user preference for CHOICES, although both programs received positive ratings. The findings were discussed in terms of cost effectiveness. (Author/JAC)

The rate of return on investments in higher education, defined as a measure of productivity that relates the costs of resources expended in instruction to the value of benefits produced, is discussed and computed for several student populations. The concepts of "overeducation" and "underemployment" are also discussed. (SF)

Excerpts from a recent landmark study of American higher education focus on goals of higher education, cognitive outcomes of college and impact on practical competence, and some conclusions about consequences of higher education. It is shown that in both monetary, but especially in nonmonetary terms, higher education is well worth the cost. (AF)

Research indicates that leisure participation enhances health at various levels, reducing stress and promoting better physical and mental health. Participation in personally meaningful leisure activities serves as a buffer to life's stressful events. Leisure professionals must work to promote leisure as a priority in people's lives. (SM)

Investigated relation of client-counselor evaluation of initial interview to client return for another session. Findings from 5 professional counselors, 5 practicum trainees, and 290 college student clients showed client return positively related to longer intake interviews; deeper interviews; and greater client satisfaction, disturbance, and…

A market segmentation analysis of 872 university students compared 2 hierarchical clustering procedures for deriving market segments: 1 using matching-type measures and an agglomerative clustering algorithm, and 1 using the chi-square based automatic interaction detection. Results and implications for planning, evaluating, and improving academic…

An exploratory case study used surveys and qualitative research techniques to investigate relationships in student characteristics, student attitudes, teacher qualities, and classroom factors that influenced student satisfaction and success in a college physiology class. For most students, satisfaction depended on the supportive classroom…

There is a growing number of web-based and web-assisted course development tools and products that can be used to create on-line learning environment. The utility of these products, however, varies greatly depending on their feasibility, prerequisite infrastructure, technical features, interface, and course development and management tools. WebCT…

The "DATAWave" is a biweekly publication of the Assessment Resource Office (ARO) at Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU). Its purpose is to inform the campus community and broader constituencies on assessment issues and practices at ENMU. The university's 10-year history of outcomes assessment is reflected in the topics of the 6 editions…

The Assessment Committee of Library Services at Central Missouri State University conducted a telephone survey of 500 (41.2% completion rate) university students. The goals were to use a random sampling in order to gain more information regarding usage patterns of library services; to identify factors which inhibit patron use; and to reveal…

Virginia Wesleyan College, a small liberal arts college, recently conducted four major student satisfaction assessment projects. In particular, the institution wanted to know how students evaluated their educational experiences and how they evaluated college programs and services. The assessment projects, conducted during the 1991-92 and 1992-93…

A student survey at a metropolitan university examined priorities of both traditional and non-traditional students; the survey resulted from anxieties expressed by some students about not having a traditional college experience. The administration was trying to decide whether to allocate resources to create a football program within this commuter,…

Student organization development (SOD) is an emerging technology for conducting intentional student development through positive alteration of student organizations. One model (CORE) for conceptualizing SOD is in use at the Student Development Center of the University of Cincinnati. The CORE model to SOD is comprised of three concentric rings, the…

This monograph was written to enhance the college or university faculty member's understanding of stress as it impacts upon both students and faculty, and to help faculty members cope with the stressors in their own lives and intervene with students to reduce stress. Stress is defined and sources of distress are identified. Research is cited which…

Increasing numbers of women are returning to college following an interruption of their education. Role strain is a common experience of these women. Most studies of role strain and family support among returning women have relied on the women's self-reports. A study was conducted using manipulated descriptions of family environments which were…