This article describes and compares two principal modes of evaluating social studies curricula: the Curriculum Materials Analysis System (CMAS) developed by the Social Science Education Consortium and a system developed by Elizabeth Vallance. (Author/RM)

Compared effectiveness of vicarious and written training techniques to teach parents an early stimulation program for infants with Downs Syndrome. Found that infants whose parents were trained through observing a clinician stimulate their child had higher average developmental quotients in gross motor and language development between 6 and 24…

Compared mathematical performance of middle school students in low-income communities involved in the QUASAR project to those of a demographically similar school and of a nationally representative sample. QUASAR mathematics instruction emphasizes reasoning, problem-solving, and understanding. Quasar students outperformed NAEP's disadvantaged urban…

Discusses the results of the Wisconsin-Ohio Reference Evaluation Program (WOREP) that was used by the reference department at the Brandeis University (Massachusetts) library. Results are compared with an onsite evaluation to determine factors that influence the provision of high-quality reference service. (LRW)

Compared outcomes of traditional direct instruction and pictorial worksheets with that of a hands-on approach using objects, word cards, and definition cards to teach vocabulary words with multiple meanings to public school third graders. Found that the hands-on students made significantly greater vocabulary progress than direct instruction…

Monte Carlo methods were used to study the accuracy and utility of estimators of overall error and error due to approximation in structural equation modeling. Effects of sample size, indicator reliabilities, and degree of misspecification were examined. The rescaled noncentrality parameter also was examined. Choosing among competing models is…

Results from two Monte Carlo studies in item response theory (comparisons of computer item analysis programs and Bayes estimation procedures) are analyzed with inferential methods to illustrate the procedures' strengths. It is recommended that researchers in item response theory use both descriptive and inferential methods to analyze Monte Carlo…

This article outlines basic concepts of three prominent instructional approaches: cooperative learning, direct instruction, and learning styles. The relationship between each model and developing student thinking skills is explored; an organizing framework for assessing and synthesizing instructional models is examined; and implications for…

The utility of the fail-safe "N" statistic was evaluated by computing it for studies in three organizational research domains in which discrepant conclusions were reached by initial and subsequent meta-analyses. Calculation of the fail-safe "N" may have led to more cautious interpretations. Implications for meta-analyses are…

The research findings and methodology used to evaluate the relative cost effectiveness of 2 systems of acute psychiatric care are described for 2 cohorts of 195 and 595 clients. The systems involve sole use of a general hospital and use of a general hospital together with a psychiatric health facility. (TJH)

Compared social-cognitive development of 40 preschoolers from constructivist and Montessori programs who were playing a board game. Analysis of interpersonal negotiating strategies and conflict management showed that children from constructivist programs were more advanced in their social cognitive competence than were children in the Montessori…

Hearing assessments of multiply handicapped children/adolescents were conducted using classical conditioning (with an air puff as unconditioned stimulus) and operant conditioning (with a modified visual reinforcement audiometry procedure or edible reinforcement). Findings indicate that classical conditioning was successful with 21 of the 23…

A comparative evaluation of two underground coal mines identified the reasons why one was the most productive and the other was the least productive mine operated by the company. The vested interests of contending groups provide a partial explanation. The problem-solving process evolving out of the evaluation is described. (SLD)

Investigates the value of applying principles derived from simulated annealing to clustering tuples in database design, and compares this technique with a graph-collapsing clustering method. It is concluded that, while the new method does give superior results, the expense involved in algorithm run time is prohibitive. (24 references) (CLB)

Situations for which the researcher should use component analysis versus common factor analysis are discussed. Topics addressed include key algebraic similarities and differences, theoretical and practical issues, the factor indeterminacy issue, latent versus manifest variables, and differences between exploratory and confirmatory analysis…