This book is geared for beginners in the use of personal computers for everyday academic purposes. The information is generic, and is not directed exclusively to IBM users, Macintosh users or NeXT users. The chapters focus on the following topics: (1) introduction to the purpose of the book; (2) personal computer systems such as hardware and…

Computer software that is intended to assist the qualitative researcher in the analysis of textual data is relatively new. One such program, the Data Collector, is a HyperCard computer program designed for use on the Macintosh computer. A tool for organizing and analyzing textual data obtained from observations, interviews, surveys, and other…

This manual on microcomputer-based database management programs provides a description of the key characteristics of database software as well as guidelines for designing a database, uses of database programs, and selecting the right software. Three sets of concepts related to database management are listed and explained: creating a database,…

Curriculum administration and evaluation require specific information on such curriculum components as content, time, teaching methodology, materials, evaluation, and scheduling. Without such information, planning, coordination, resources allocation, and other decision-making activities are severely handicapped. Furthermore, evaluation of the…

Designed to assist educational researchers in utilizing microcomputers, this paper presents information on four types of computer software: writing tools for educators, statistical software designed to perform analyses of small and moderately large data sets, project management tools, and general education/research oriented information services…

The use of Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS), a type of microcomputer application software, to analyze open-ended survey questions is discussed. Using open-ended questions allows researchers to ask respondents to express themselves freely about their attitudes and beliefs. This approach also can elicit a precise answer even though the…

A 1983 survey conducted in England and Wales by the Education Management Information Exchange and the Society of Education Officers Industry Committee examined the widespread administrative use of computers and related technology in Local Education Authorities (LEA's). This report summarizes responses from 95 of the 108 LEA's in the survey area.…

The instructional effectiveness of using an IBM personal computer with an Electrohome Character projector and a flat screen to display instructional material was analyzed with 89 students enrolled in a course on management information systems at McGill University. The lesson used was an introduction to VisiCalc, an applications software package,…

This paper describes the approach taken by the Office of Compensatory Education of the Michigan Department of Education to provide microcomputer training to Chapter 1 administrators. It reports on the two objectives of the study to evaluate the effects of the training program: (1) to assess the short term effects of teaching administrators to use…

The process of planning the role of the microcomputer in higher education administration is investigated through a survey of a sample of universities and colleges in California engaged in such efforts, and through a review of literature in education as well as computing. A major objective of the study was to systematically investigate the…

This guide is intended to assist states and service delivery areas (SDAs) in addressing the new oversight responsibilities and opportunities stipulated by the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) with respect to management information system (MIS) issues in evaluating JTPA programs. The first chapter discusses the general requirements of a JTPA MIS…

School districts have begun examining the feasibility of, and in some cases are developing and implementing automated systems for, managing and evaluating instructional programs. This paper describes and analyzes the issues and problems that emerged over the course of three projects--a large suburban school in the West, a consortium of five small…

New challenges facing the institutional research profession are covered in these 1986 conference proceedings of the North East Association for Institutional Research. Paper titles and authors include: "Institutional Research at Mercer County Community College: The Changing Role in the Eighties" (F. L. Edwards); "Course Placement and Academic…