A guide to the use of microcomputer statistical analysis packages for loglinear analysis describes the application of one popular package to a straightforward problem and critically surveys features available in four of the leading packages. Survey findings and suggestions for further development are included. (Author/MSE)

Explores how district curriculum leaders select literacy programs and materials for their district and what factors influenced their decisions. Explains the methodology used and examines the findings which emerged upon analysis of the data gathered. Concludes most districts assembled a curriculum committee comprised of teachers and administrators…

In "Wisconsin Death Trip," Michael Lesy has created a new and important technique for presenting the findings of historical research. (JH)

Argues that too much of the wrong kind of research has been carried out, using inappropriate methods, and proposes a framework for investigating the effectiveness of educational media. Twenty-seven references are listed. (LLS)

In a study supported by the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, a research team developed a methodology for illustrating the effective and ineffective uses of audio, video, and computer teleconferencing by developing scenarios for eacb medium. The group first invented a general situation--a conference involving participants with global, regional, and…

Preservice elementary teachers in a conceptual physics course were given multiple resources to use during several inquiry activities in order to investigate how materials were chosen, used, and valued. These students performed significantly better on assessment items related to the inquiry physics activities than on items related to traditional…

The case study is the method of choice in studying instructional media projects. In contrast to experiments, which analyse the effect of a on b, and sample surveys, which ask "What is out there?", the case study asks "What happened?" and is both descriptive (unlike the experiment) and free of time (unlike the sample survey). The objective of a…

This study compared media selection decisions novice instructional developers make when using an intuitive selection approach versus Reiser and Gagne's formal selection procedure. Formal selection procedure use results in media selection choices matching those of experienced developers, and more selection factors are considered when novices…

This guide to the economic analysis of media use in education reviews the evidence on the costs and benefits of educational media and provides a methodology for future decision-making. It includes chapters on establishing a framework for media choice, evaluating the effectiveness of media use, and analyzing costs. The empirical evidence from past…

The emphases of this investigation were to outline procedures to assess the effectiveness of instructional materials and to examine those procedures. Methods for determining sample size, constructing instruments, and modifying data are described. (SK)

The program of systematic evaluation of variables associated with visual learning was initiated in 1965 to investigate the impact of variables linked to effective, efficient use of instructional visual materials. A prototype experimental package, containing a specific unit of cognitive content, learner achievement objectives, four individual…

This project report describes the development and implementation of a model of qualitative measures for evaluating the use of school library resources by students and teachers. It explains a record-keeping system for school librarians to use in tracing media from purchase, through processing, to eventual utilization. Using parts of sample…

A policy capturing approach was used in a study that investigated teacher judgment during the selection of instructional activities. This approach uses a simple (usually linear regression) model to reproduce the inferential responses of a particular judge. Central to the approach is the manner in which the judge weighs and combines information in…

The Consumer Information Center is a federal program which encourages federal agencies to develop and release consumer information to the public. It also promotes consumer awareness and access to information through the "Consumer Information Catalog" and a mail order distribution operation. Through research, the Center can learn the…

A review of educational research reveals that free and inexpensive materials are used today to a much greater extent than they had been in the past. Two studies, sponsored by the American Iron and Steel Institute, are evidence of the producer's interest in determining the strengths and weaknesses of the materials being sent into classrooms and…