This study illustrates the application of causal modeling techniques in testing a conceptual model of teaching using data collected in naturalistic, nonexperimental settings. (Author/GK)

Compared response rates, response time, and costs of mail and electronic surveys using a sample of 377 college faculty members. Mail surveys yielded a higher response rate and a lower rate of undeliverable surveys, but response time was longer and costs were higher than for electronic surveys. (SLD)

FAX technology was used to send surveys to professionals at 25 higher education institutions whereas professionals at 25 more institutions received mail surveys. Follow-up responses were sent by FAX and mail. Response rates (overall rate of 40%) were best for those receiving surveys and reminders by FAX. Cost effectiveness is discussed. (SLD)

A sample of 278 students enrolled in an introductory statistics course was used to determine which of a set of cognitive and affective variables correlate with course performance. It is suggested that individual diagnostic profiles are useful in establishing prescriptive treatments designed to help students likely to experience difficulty in…

A mail survey of 125 former teacher education students was conducted to examine subjects' perceptions of and responses to the survey. The effects of techniques thought to motivate mail survey participation on responses and potential respondent bias were examined. (TJH)

The purpose of this study was to compare philosophy courses taught according to a conventional course structure (CCS) with philosophy courses taught according to a short course structure (SCS). (Author)

Investigates the comparative effects of written as opposed to verbally stated instructions and specification of contingencies, with the written contract containing the typically used written agreement. These procedures were applied to self-managed, naturalistic behaviors, and compared to self-monitoring alone. Study-question answering and amount…

Two investigations were conducted to examine whether incentives increased survey returns from 297 and 100, respectively, former teacher education students; and idiographic characteristics, incentives, and multiple mailings influenced respondent perceptions. Establishing a communication network increased the number of responses; incentives and…

Reviews the role of statistical significance testing, and argues that dominance of such testing is dysfunctional because significance tests do not provide the information that many researchers assume they do. Possible reasons for the persistence of statistical significance testing are discussed briefly, and ways to moderate negative effects are…

Programed instruction in sex knowledge was presented via computer to 30 college students under varying conditions of informational feedback delay (IF). Immediate feedback following each response was compared with feedback following a 15-second delay for each response. Delay conditions provided significantly more retention than immediate…

The response-shift phenomenon is demonstrated in a typical classroom setting. Retrospective pre-ratings in self-report instruments are shown to yield more accurate estimates of pre-instruction knowledge than simple pre-ratings. (Author/CM)

Journal editors respond to criticisms of reliance on statistical significance in research reporting. Joel R. Levin ("Journal of Educational Psychology") defends its use, whereas William D. Schafer ("Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development") emphasizes the distinction between statistically significant and important. William Asher…