Setting up a successful interinstitutional data-sharing project involves commonsense guidelines: be clear about what is wanted, take advantage of what already exists, use appropriate technology, staff adequately, recognize institutional differences, and concentrate on achieving insight rather than precision. (Author/MSE)

The future of faculty development programs will benefit most from a systematic assessment of program goals, a factor often ignored or taken for granted while program process and product are evaluated. (MSE)

Describes three basic approaches to needs assessment--problem identification, problem analysis, and problem verification--and assesses them in terms of their potential utility to users in business and educational settings as measured by their estimated time requirement, accuracy, and cost. Needs assessment data collection resources and techniques…

A random selection of course examinations, classified by Bloom's cognitive taxonomy, revealed a pattern of differences between the questions asked at more selective liberal arts colleges and those asked at less selective ones. A framework for describing academic rigor and standards that is based on these findings is presented. (Author/MLW)

Results of this study evaluating library reference service indicate a statistically significant difference at the .05 level between obtrusive and unobtrusive evaluation methods. Library staff answer a greater proportion of questions correctly when they are aware of being evaluated. The 30 questions used, a report form, and references are included.…

A needs assessment study was done of older persons. The sample was randomly assigned to three data collection techniques: face-to-face interview, telephone interview, and self-administered, mailed questionnaires. Results indicated the telephone or the mail technique is a viable substitute for the face-to-face interview. (Author)

Examined leadership/influence effectiveness in democratic psychosocial situations. Compared legislators' and school counselors' role effectiveness as associated with positive self-concepts and attitudes. Results suggest the primary value of the study is in the techniques and methodology used within the content of perceptual theory. (RC)

The article describes the pilot testing of a direct observation procedure for observing social interactions of mentally retarded and non-retarded workers in supported work settings. The instrument was found to be capable of assessing such interactions and was readily utilized by practitioners. (DB)

Quick power estimates for detecting a difference in two population proportions are expedient during early stages of research planning. Such estimates are tabled and graphed in this article. They are shown to be conservative but accurate for most research situations when proportions fall in the range of 0.25 to 0.75. (SLD)

Quantitative and qualitative measures of patient satisfaction with psychiatric outpatient services were compared in interviews with 263 outpatients. Results indicate that expressions of dissatisfaction appear mainly in open-ended questions. Focus on the questions and acceptability of the data gathering procedure appears to influence responses…

Presents trend data of school districts fund allocation for school maintenance and operations of their facilities across the United States. Data reveal a continuing decline in funding for maintenance and operations of school facilities. (GR)

Six children with cerebral palsy and severe speech impairment took part in a two-phase longitudinal study of development of social cognition. The children ranged in age from 5 to 7 years old at data collection time 1 and from nine to 11 years old at data collection time 2. Using a model of normal development of Theory of Mind (ToM) suggested by…

In this paper we interrelate different theories of identity and describe how various social contexts and cognitive motives influence the process of identity change. We consider two competing theories about the linkage of contexts with motives for identity change: the effect of category traits, based on social identity theory, and the effect of…

A long standing debate among policymakers as well as researchers is whether and how funding affects the quality of education. Often missing from the discussion is information about the costs of providing education at the school level and below, yet such information could impart a better indication of the linkages between outcomes and resources…

This guide is designed as a resource for leaders and evaluators of K-12 online learning programs. In this guide, the term "online learning" is used to refer to a range of education programs and resources in the K-12 arena, including distance learning courses offered by universities, private providers, or teachers at other schools;…