Presents two methods for evaluating automatically generated hypertext links: one is based on correlations between shortest paths in the hypertext structure and a semantic similarity measure, and the other is based on measuring users' performances using hypertext. Advantages and disadvantages of computer versus human evaluation are discussed.…

Discusses search engines on the World Wide Web and information retrieval from the Internet; describes categories and special features of Web-based databases and compares them with traditional databases; and presents a review of the literature on the testing and evaluation of Web-based search engines. (Author/LRW)

Describes item response and information functions for the Zinnes and Griggs paired comparison item response theory (IRT) model (1974) and presents procedures for estimating stimulus and person parameters. Monte Carlo simulations show that at least 400 ratings are required to obtain reasonably accurate estimates of the stimulus parameters and their…

Compared the quantitative problem-solving skills of conceptually-taught and traditionally-taught introductory physics students. Found that students taught conceptually through peer instruction performed significantly better on quantitative exam questions for two out of three exams. However, the conceptually taught students were not as satisfied.…

Findings are reported from a study which investigated how seven elementary physical education specialists developed rules, managerial routines, and performance expectations at the start of the school year. Routines and rules are identified, and instructional techniques are discussed. Comparisons are made based on years of experience and grade…

Explores different modes of responding to student papers in two sections of an Introduction to Writing Process class for native and non-native speakers. Finds no significant differences in performance of the two sections, although students who received only positive comments frequently initiated their own corrections and seemed to gain greater…

In a pilot study, two methods of identifying problems in the evaluation of third- and fourth-year medical students' clinical skills were tested. The two types of materials, questionnaires and a problem-case analysis, were found to be complementary, both identifying some of the same problems and each identifying some different problems. (MSE)

A study examined the relationship of five factors in the quality of the learning experience (resources, content, learning flexibility, student-faculty contact, and involvement) and the students' assessment of their college. Three evaluation models are compared, and comparisons are also made for the hard and soft sciences. (MSE)

Results of a study with dental assistants and hygienists, clinic clerks, supply and sterilization personnel, receptionists, and housekeeping and secretarial staff (n=80) suggest that inservice training programs on infection control and clinical asepsis procedures may be better accomplished by practical demonstration than by lecture or seminar.…

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)

An alternating treatments design was used to compare gentle teaching, visual screening, and a task-training condition in the reduction of high-level stereotypy of three persons (aged 7, 21, and 28) with mental retardation. Visual screening produced the greatest and most consistent decrease, while gentle teaching was found to have limited…

Gifted and nongifted students (n=96) in grades five-six were assigned to a free-study or one of three mnemonic conditions for learning mineral hardness levels. Both ability groups learned more in mnemonic conditions, and gifted students demonstrated an ability superior to nongifted students in employing mnemonic strategies independently in…

The psychometric integrity of a short form of the Questionnaire on Resources and Stress was evaluated, based on data provided by 66 mothers and 66 fathers of 33 handicapped and 33 nonhandicapped preschool children. Alpha reliability, factor structure, and construct validity analyses indicated that the measure has reasonable psychometric integrity.…

Maintains that it is necessary to compare different educational practices and teaching strategies before choosing a practice or strategy for a particular situation. Offers as an example the possibility of the United States adopting the teaching strategies of the Japanese educational system. (BB)

Provides a detailed evaluation of the oral proficiency interview and its underlying assumptions of validity and value. The similarities and differences between interviews and conversations are examined, and some of the major problems of proficiency interviewing are illustrated and discussed. (39 references) (Author/VWL)