In 1881, Donald MacAlister posed a problem in the "Educational Times" that remains relevant today. The problem centers on the statistical evidence for the effectiveness of a treatment based on a comparison between two proportions. A brief historical sketch is followed by a discussion of two default Bayesian solutions, one based on a…

This study examines a 118-year continuous record of retention and graduation rates at a public university for long-term trends not observable in shorter studies. While the first year retention rates stayed level over much of this period, second year rates increased steadily by 1.2% per decade. In contrast, graduation rates at 4 years compared to 6…

In introductory statistics courses, the concept of power is usually presented in the context of testing hypotheses about the population mean. We instead propose an exercise that uses a binomial probability table to introduce the idea of power in the context of testing a population proportion. (Contains 2 tables, and 2 figures.)

Between 2003 and 2013, the proportion of California 8th graders enrolled in Algebra or a more advanced course nearly doubled to 65 percent. In this paper, we consider the organizational processes that accompanied this curricular intensification. Facing a complex set of accountability, institutional, technical/functional, and internal political…

In this article, a Bayesian model selection approach is introduced that can select the best of a set of inequality and equality constrained hypotheses for contingency tables. The hypotheses are presented in terms of cell probabilities allowing researchers to test (in)equality constrained hypotheses in a format that is directly related to the data.…

The theory of planned behavior (TPB) was used to understand psychological help-seeking intention for 3 common concerns: anxiety or depression, career choice concerns, and alcohol or drug use. Eight hundred eighty-nine university students completed surveys for the TPB variables plus belief in personal efficacy and control to solve the problems.…

A concise method for computing areas under the normal curve using only functions typically found on desk and hand calculators is given. One version of this method will give three-decimal-pace accuracy, and a second, simpler version gives accuracy to two places. (Author/JKS)

Errors of misclassification and their effects on categorical data analysis are discussed. The chi-square test for equality of two proportions is examined in the context of errorful categorical data. The effects of such errors are illustrated. A correction procedure is developed and discussed. (Author/MH)

Causal attributions of a person actually experiencing a success or failure (the actor) and someone who read about the situation (the observer) were compared. Results supported Jones and Nisbett (1971). (Editor)

A table of critical values is presented for use with Chacko's ordered alternatives test for the analysis of variance. (Author/JKS)

In numerous applications of the analysis of variance, it is necessary to compute the power of F tests having numerically high alpha (significance) levels. This article tabulates the power of F tests for a variety of degrees of freedom. (Author/JKS)

One approach to the problem of analyzing classroom interaction by use of a Markoff chain is presented. The two sections of the paper present (1) a discusion of Hoel's test of order of a Markoff chain, and a Likelihood Ratio Criterion (LRC) for a two-dependent Markoff chain is given, and (2) a discussion of possible adjustments of Darwin's LRC with…

This book focuses on the relevance of statistics in the day-to-day lives of principals and teachers. The step-by-step guide to using existing school data can help school leaders make more appropriate and effective decisions. The information is presented with easy-to-follow instructions, illustrations, and pertinent examples. The chapters are: (1)…

This study tested competing interpretations of IQ deficit in schizophrenic patients. One interpretation (concomitancy hypothesis) holds that IQ loss is a product of schizophrenic symptoms and is remedied as the symptoms remit. The second (prodromal hypothesis) holds that IQ deficit preceeds and facilitates the development of schizophrenic disorder…

Previous research investigating the relationship of attraction and aggression has yielded somewhat equivocal results. The present study investigated the influence of two variables, attitudinal similarity and exposure, on interpersonal attraction and physical aggression. (Editor)