Technological advances in microcomputer hardware and software, including size of memory and increasingly more sophisticated statistical application packages, create a new era in educational research. The alternative to costly main-frame computer data processing and statistical analysis is explored in this paper. In the first section, typical…

An introduction to Fortran programming specifically for social science statistical and routine data processing is provided. The first two sections of the manual describe the components of computer hardware and software. Topics include input, output, and mass storage devices; central memory; central processing unit; internal storage of data; and…

Subjects in a study of analogic reasoning use in learning a computer language read text describing an invented LISP dialect and then solved problems and described language constructs. Five of six factors studied indicating use of analogy with a familiar computer language showed statistically significant results, supporting the hypothesis.…

Describes a generic software tool, Objective-C, that detects and corrects data inconsistency in databases. In this study, heterogeneous bibliographic information is integrated by using the message-object model to implement data abstraction methodologies. Citation translation problems are discussed and future directions for research are suggested.…

This study was designed to ascertain the relationships between the steps of a tool designed to link knowledge production and the needs of knowledge users (the Wolf-Welsh Linkage Methodology or WWLM) with milestones in the evolution of an innovative computer-assisted instructional system called PLATO (Programming Logic for Advanced Teaching…

Discusses current use of psychological theory in software science and reviews recent developments in cognitive psychology relevant to programing (human information processing, expert-novice differences). Critique of Maurice Halstead's model of cognitive aspects of programing and a structured data flow perspective (control flow and data flow…

A survey of computer scientists was conducted to identify factors that affect software complexity. A total of 160 items were selected from the literature to include in a questionnaire sent to 425 individuals who were employees of computer-related businesses in Lawrence and Kansas City. The items were grouped into nine categories called system…

Compares two surveys--one of school administrators and one of computer experts--on perceptions of priorities among computer competencies for school administrators. Analysis includes importance of computer literacy; programing, application, hardware/software, and resource acquisition skills; and awareness of training needs. Experts were found to be…

Discusses the results of an ongoing research study to measure college students' microcomputer literacy before taking a microcomputer course. A brief review of the literature on computer literacy is provided, a comparative analysis of results is given, and a microcomputer literacy index is described that measures literacy and ranks students.…

Results from the 1979 Minnesota Computer Literacy Assessment show that eighth- and eleventh-grade females perform better than males in some specific areas of programing, i.e., those that involve problem analysis and algorithmic application where the problems are expressed verbally rather than mathematically. (Author/LRW)

Surveys current state-of-the-art in courseware development for microcomputers; discusses guidelines for overall program and screen display design; describes three major approaches to developing courseware--programing language, authoring system, or authoring language use; and reviews two current research areas--automated instructional development…

Describes research in two different domains: novices learning programing, and school pupils interpreting Cartesian graphs. Findings in each domain are discussed, but the main focus is an examination of the extent to which general principles and issues apply across both domains. Research implications for instructional design are discussed.…

Until recently, professionals in the humanities have had access only to mainframe computer technology. The advent of microcomputers offers a range of new options. The experiences of one individual indicate that with personal computer technology and simple programming, and occasionally the help of a mainframe, textual, visual, and auditory…

Explains the design and development of BISTATS, a computer application using dBASEIII for compiling bibliographic instruction statistics that was developed at State University College at Buffalo. Highlights include system design and development, data items included in the records, programming procedures, and testing and modifications. (LRW)

The proposal put forward in this presentation centers on the use of the microcomputer for the generation of educational research, both as a powerful tool for information collection and as a means for analyzing the generated data. The microcomputer-based laboratory (MBL) principles described in this paper may be used in rural classroom settings as…