Existing data sets can be an efficient, powerful, and readily available resource for addressing questions about developmental science. Many of the available databases contain hundreds of variables of interest to developmental psychologists, track participants longitudinally, and have representative samples. In this article, the authors discuss the…

Describes relatively new computer software that can be used to maintain, analyze, and report large sets of educational data. The application of two of these packages to problems faced when manipulating educational data is demonstrated, and administrators are provided with information on the evaluation and selection of software products. (MER)