A Monte Carlo study was conducted to assess the robustness of the limited information two-stage least squares (2SLS) estimation procedure on a confirmatory factor analysis model with nonnormal distributions. Full information maximum likelihood methods were used for comparison. One hundred model replications were used to generate data. (TJH)

Discussion of user queries in information retrieval highlights the experimental evaluation of an adaptive linear model that constructs improved query vectors from user preference judgments on a sample set of documents. The performance of this method is compared with that of standard relevance feedback techniques. (28 references) (LRW)

How lecture note taking influences writing processes was studied in 4 experiments involving 392 undergraduates. The writing model of L. S. Flower and J. R. Hayes (1981) served as theoretical foundation. Results support the effects of external storage and encoding plus internal storage on writing processes. (SLD)

Studied the extent to which three appropriateness indexes, Z(sub 3), ECIZ4, and W, are well standardized in a Monte Carlo study. The ECIZ4 most closely approximated a normal distribution, and its skewness and kurtosis were more stable and less affected by test length and item response theory model than the others. (SLD)

Evaluates the coverage provided by eight indexing and abstracting services in the interdisciplinary field of women's studies. Content pages for 17 women's studies journals were checked against appropriate indexes to determine the comprehensiveness of coverage, and "Women Studies Abstract" was found to provide the best coverage. (15…

Describes differences in formative evaluation techniques between instructional designers and subject matter experts. Content analysis based on think-aloud data focusing on differences in task interpretation, problem identification and revision statements, and review strategies is discussed; use of instructional systems design models by…

Fifteen students, ages three to six years, were presented with materials traditionally used in Montessori preschools to teach seriation. Children who were presented the materials with limited discussion or with frequent discussion showed greater interest in the materials but did not score higher on seriation tests than children who were presented…

Thirty special educators were randomly assigned to treatment groups, including a control condition and different levels of curriculum-based management analysis, one of which included graphed performance indicators with skills analysis; one, graphed performance indicators only, and another, graphed performance indicators with ordered lists of…

Describes a new effectiveness measure as an alternative to the traditional evaluation measures of recall and precision in information retrieval systems. The statistical approach--which compares two retrieval algorithms--is explained, the information needs of the user are considered, and an experiment with a test collection of abstracts is…

The impacts of independent study and the lecture approach on student test scores and study time were compared for 205 medical students studying surgery. Learning objective, multiple-choice, and essay questions were developed for selected topics related to surgery. Findings support increased individual active learning strategies and decreased…

Strategies and techniques used in evaluation of British higher education consortia are described, focusing on constraints, purposes, and methods used. The context within which the evaluation takes place is seen as a strong influence on purpose and methods. Similarities and differences in evaluation of individual institutions and consortia are…

The effectiveness of community-oriented instruction in teaching and learning about vocational agriculture in Nigeria was studied in a 4-year longitudinal study in 2 universities comparing 80 student teachers in the treatment condition and 80 control students. Results support the effectiveness of community-oriented instruction in vocational…

Explores the classical roots of comparative education and related language issues. Three different strands of comparative education are identified, and the approach to language within each strand is discussed and illustrated. (Author/VWL)

Presents a rationale and procedure for evaluating literature study guides based on J. Langer's model for literature study and B. Cambourne's conditions for learning. Compares three guides using the evaluation procedure. Shows great differences in treatments of the same books in five publishers' guides. (CR)

Examined the potential of constructivist learning environments for developing prerequisites of expert knowledge during university studies. Compared learning outcomes of 16 Finnish students in a constructivist environment with outcomes of 23 students learning under traditional conditions. Students in the constructivist environment acquired more…