Graphic novels are an important literary mode with a complex history and practice, and provide struggling readers of all kinds with a visual (but equally rigorous) reading experience. English teachers must determine the criteria for quality examples of this mode to provide the highest quality texts possible to every student. This article uses…

This qualitative study analyzed experiences of twenty software developers. The research showed that all software development methodologies are distinct from each other. While some, such as waterfall, focus on traditional, plan-driven approaches that allow software requirements and design to evolve; others facilitate ambiguity and uncertainty by…

In the May 2010 issue of "Psychological Bulletin," R. E. McGrath, M. Mitchell, B. H. Kim, and L. Hough published an article entitled "Evidence for Response Bias as a Source of Error Variance in Applied Assessment" (pp. 450-470). They argued that response bias indicators used in a variety of settings typically have insufficient data to support such…

Program managers increasingly incorporate standardized tests into outcome evaluation. Guidelines are presented for selecting and using standardized measures following addictions treatment. These principles, which cover eight basic criteria, are applicable to outcome evaluation of health programs in general. Practical issues related to using…

This is a study of the practices utilized by four school districts, two with high and two with low retention rates of teachers, to examine how similarities and differences in selected human resources practices relate to the successful retention of teachers in these districts. The factors studied that may impact teacher retention included…

Aimed at those individuals who are in a position to hire or promote educational researchers or evaluators, this paper provides some practical suggestions for assessing these personnel. Selection of a research or evaluation (R and E) firm is not treated separately from the task of hiring an individual; the quality of work done by a firm depends…

The adequacy of "rule of thumb" conventional cutoff criteria and several alternatives for fit indices in covariance structure analysis was evaluated through simulation. Analyses suggest that, for all recommended fit indexes except one, a cutoff criterion greater than (or sometimes smaller than) the conventional rule of thumb is required…

Describes the Dutch rating system for test quality, which evaluates a test for seven criteria, and analyses the results of test ratings from the past 18 years. Results show a steady increase in test quality in the Netherlands that can be attributed to use of better tests and declining use of tests of less quality after evaluation. (SLD)

Describes the 1997 revision of the Dutch Rating System for Test Quality used by a committee of the Dutch Association of Psychologists. The rating system evaluates test quality on seven criteria using a checklist for each criterion. Comment sections provide additional information, and weighting rules establish the final grades. (SLD)

Managers and program sponsors are often unaware of possible alternatives to costly training evaluation procedures and do not have criteria for selecting alternatives. What is needed is an understanding of the various levels of evaluating training programs, feasible alternatives, and decision criteria for choosing the right system. It is proposed…

The State of Alaska Department of Education has created a handbook to give assistance and direction to its school districts and communities in determining the suitability of various building sites for educational facilities planning. This handbook establishes a set of basic site selection elements and offers suggested evaluation criteria for…

Studied "science-based" and "research-based" as criteria for the evaluation of exemplary programs under the Safe, Disciplined and Drug-Free Schools Program through an examination of the evaluations of two such programs. Findings suggest that the "exemplary" criteria were either poorly defined or not well…

In order to develop criteria for site selection, this study gathered data from both a review of the literature and a questionnaire survey of state directors of vocational education. Although wide variations in criteria were discovered, five areas of concern were identified: (1) potential enrollment, (2) finances, (3) local support and initiative,…

The selection of faculty in academic institutions is an important process--one that has long-lasting effects on an institution's ability to fulfill its mission. Faculty influence the quality of the education delivered, the effectiveness of the programs and activities offered, and the financial efficiency of the delivery processes. Failed searches…

Reports on how schools selected projects to propose to a competitive grant-awarding program for school-based management projects. The meta-evaluation of the evaluations by 17 schools explores criteria school evaluations should meet. (SLD)