The use of numerical/quantitative data in qualitative research studies and reports has been controversial. Prominent qualitative researchers such as Howard Becker and Martyn Hammersley have supported the inclusion of what Becker called "quasi-statistics": simple counts of things to make statements such as "some," "usually," and "most" more…

Across many areas of psychology, concordance is commonly used to measure the (intragroup) agreement in ranking a number of items by a group of judges. Sometimes, however, the judges come from multiple groups, and in those situations, the interest is to measure the concordance between groups, under the assumption that there is some within-group…

The article reviews the ways in which norm-referenced developmental age (DA) and developmental quotient (DQ) evaluation data are currently reported in preschool early intervention program evaluation studies. The concept of intervention DQ in contrast with pretest DQ is proposed as a more meaningful way to report evaluation data. (Author/DB)

The approach of J. D. Sneed is used to argue for a distinction between theoretical and nontheoretical (or empirical) entities. Attention is directed toward this approach as an important facility for looking at statistics and for constructing a framework for the correct use of statistical theory in information retrieval experiments. (MBR)

This study presents detailed distributional analyses of voice onset times (VOTs) from seven 5-year-old children and 14 adults. Distributional non-normality was common in both data sets with children showing greater skew. Results suggest that theories of VOT development should not be based solely on means and standard deviations but need to address…

Provides a conceptual basis for understanding factor analysis as an analytical technique. Illustrates the basic concepts of factor analysis through Edward L. Rainbow's data from a study of variables influencing students' musical aptitude. Suggests that this technique is most appropriate in music applications where the interrelationships between…

Findings of empirical examination of author productivity data to determine conformity to Lotka's law indicate that: most data didn't fit inverse square function; two constants in Lotka's formulation (slope n, constant c) must be derived from observed distribution; inverse square law was special case of inverse exponential relationship. (37…

This paper analyzes data from the Supplement on Aging (1984 Health Interview Survey) and cites improvements in survey design which account for dramatic increases in the number of elderly with severe visual impairments. Statistical tables on percentage distribution of visual problems by age and prevalence of severe impairments are included. (JDD)

Data on people with disabilities can be used to confirm service needs and to evaluate the resulting impact of services. Disability statistics from surveys and administrative records can play a meaningful role in such efforts. In this article, the authors describe the array of available data and statistics and their potential uses in rehabilitation…

Using state-level panel data, this study estimates a simple achievement function in the fixed-effects format to explore further the nexus between school expenditure and student achievement in the United States. Five main points are noted. First, the effect of per-pupil expenditure is positive and carries high statistical significance in some…

This paper presents nationally representative information about the extent of disproportionate gender representation in special education for the disability conditions of learning disabilities, mental retardation, and emotional disturbance. Recommendations are made for research to elucidate the basis for differences, improved data collection and…

Examines public high school science enrollment trends in the state of Iowa. Presents enrollment data since 1978. (YP)

This analysis of national program record data since 1977 found that, overall, increases have occurred in placements of students with disabilities within general public schools and within general education classes. Integration patterns, however, have varied substantially across disabilities, with students having sensory impairments showing the most…

Describes steps taken to improve usage of a public library young adult collection: (1) a survey of students' reading interests and needs; (2) analysis of the collection; (3) comparison of survey results with the collection; and (4) selection of additional titles. An annotated bibliography, the questionnaire, and survey results are appended. (11…

Explores alternative measures--Ph.D.s produced by the institution, number of faculty, number of interlibrary loans, number of publications attributable to the institution--to be used to test applicability to research libraries of the Cobb-Douglas production function, which relates three variables--production, labor, and capital investment.…