The structures within which software evaluation is carried out vary widely. Three broad types of evaluation methodologies offer models that capitalize on important aspects of evaluation: (1) product review; (2) checklist procedure; and (3) user observation. Structures and methodologies for software evaluation have evolved together and have…

Compares and evaluates three CD-ROM products for the ERIC database: (1) DIALOG OnDISC; (2) OCLC's Search CD450; and (3) SilverPlatter. The focus is on search capabilities and features. (1 reference) (MES)

This digest provides a brief explanation of what a database is; explains how a database can be used; identifies important factors that should be considered when choosing database management system software; and provides citations to sources for finding reviews and evaluations of database management software. The digest is concerned primarily with…

Following a discussion of the evaluation criteria for choosing accounting software, this guide contains reviews of 27 accounting software programs that could be used by farm or ranch business managers. The information in the reviews was provided by the software vendors and covers the following points for each software package: general features,…

This article describes the Software Evaluation Clearinghouse for Educators of the Hearing Impaired at Gallaudet University (Washington, DC). Software compatible with Apple and IBM hardware is collected, rated by clearinghouse members, and described in a printed catalog. Tips on starting a software lending library are offered. (PB)

Describes "The Secret Codes of C.Y.P.H.E.R.: Operation Wildlife," a software program for language arts classrooms that joins natural science and communication/cryptography topics in a secret-agent interactive setting. (SR)

Reviews two databases: "Questions & Answers," and "Ask Sam;" two history simulations: "Europe Ablaze," and "At the Brink;" and a decision-making aid called "Policy/Goal Percentaging." (BSR)

A review of the APPLE MACINTOSH-compatible software "Conjugate! Spanish," intended to drill Spanish verb forms, points out its strengths (error feedback, user manual, user interface, and feature control) and its weaknesses (pedagogical approach). (CB)

Describes "Point of View" software which combines a database with an authoring program and the option of multimedia. Notes that the program is useful for teaching U.S. history, computer literacy, research, and writing. (SR)

Describes "Let's Write!" a writing package for the MS-DOS network which combines five software programs to define a new collaborative dynamic for writing, reading, and thinking on computer networks. (SR)

Discussing available computer software for prompting for the kinds of computers likely to be used in writing programs, this paper concentrates on categorizing software programs and exploring their "uniquely electronic" features. The paper deals with the following questions: (1) What kinds of planning software are available? (2) What happens when…

Reviews three computer software programs for classroom use: Muppet Word Book, for children three to six; Dragon Game Series, on parts of speech, for students in grades four through high school; and Chemistry Achievement I, for students who are 16 to 18 years old, or in grades 10 to 12. (BB)

Presents how the computer program "Strip-Charter" assists communication research by quantifying the pen-trace data of psychophysiological and other strip-chart records. Describes the program's basic components and capabilities, including how it (1) allows the user to employ the Macintosh "mouse" to trace strip-chart pen…

Reviews basic principles of effective instructional design, then evaluates instructional computer programs in relation to how well the characteristics critical for effective self-instruction are incorporated into educational software. Includes a checklist for use in evaluating the design of educational software. (MD)

Standardization procedures in discriminant analysis are discussed. Three leading software packages--SPSSX, BMDP, and SAS--are compared in terms of their calculations of unstandardized and standardized discriminant coefficients. Estimation procedures are described for each. Arguments are presented for within-group, rather than total, variance…