Reviews several potential problems that often invalidate statistical tests of social theories. Discusses how there may be very serious identification problems in the estimation of the relationship between executions and homicides, and that serious questions may be raised regarding the validity of any particular estimation of this relationship.…

The transcripts of 154 adult graduates of a nontraditional Bachelor of Arts program were compared to those of 103 adults who became inactive. The results indicate that both the background of the adult learner and the type of courses chosen for degree completion are predictors of success. (Author/MLW)

The predictive ability of five characteristics of elementary school teachers on curriculum implementation was studied. The variables were dogmatism, knowledge, seniority, attitudes, and locus of control. Dogmatism was the best predictor; attitude was the poorest. Locus of control, as hypothesized, was related to the attribution of success or…

Using National Opinion Research Center Social Survey data, predictors of stance on sex education were identified as: attitude toward premarital sex; attitude toward race integration of schools; and the interaction of farm/small town origins, being supervised at work, and having a low educational level. (Author/JAC)

This study tested six propositions for which empirical support is expected if an IQ meritocracy governs the process of socioeconomic achievement. Results indicated that the model of an IQ meritocracy is only partially supported. (Author/DB)

A 27-item measure assessed college peer environments in terms of friends' interests as perceived by individual students. Four dimensions of interests were identified in cluster analyses: collegiate activities, intellectual pursuits, apathy or alienation, and traditional adult orientation. These dimensions were related to social, psychological, and…

To test the hypothesis that adolescent females who are high in ego identity have high interests in religious and political values, the relationship between the ego identity status of 80 senior high school females and their response to a survey of values was examined. Results partially supported the hypothesis. (Author/GDC)

A follow-up study of 1,149 freshmen at a major Filipino university showed that intellective measures were only moderately successful predictors of college grade point average. However, the nonintellective variables considered were (with the possible exception of level of scholastic expectation) of little value as predictors of college performance.…

Guttman Smallest Space Analysis was applied to 51 variables collected on 850 children in 48 Israeli schools, grades 4 through 9. Mapping sentences were derived for defining achievement orientation. Relations among components of the structure were weaker for students of eastern origin than for those of western origin. (Author/RL)

Business and distributive education teacher candidates nationwide were tested in order to gauge the impact of vocational choice and stability upon their academic achievement and satisfaction. Both vocational choice and stability were found to be significant predictors. However, the relationships found were not identical for the two study groups.…

Default on guaranteed student loans has been increasing. The use of discriminant analysis as a technique to identify "good" v "bad" student loans based on information available from the loan application is discussed. Research to test the ability of models to such predictions is reported. (Author/MLW)

Student responses to a questionnaire on 88 dropout prediction variables indicated that prevention of such wastage should be specific to student subgroup and should focus on colllege freshmen. (Available in microfiche from: Carfax Publishing Company, Haddon House, Dorchester-on-Thames, Oxford 0X9 8JZ, England.) (CP)

A study compared student outcomes in general education courses of 135 on-campus students; 22 students, remotely located, received simultaneous instruction via interactive television. Results found the process acceptable to both teachers and students and no apparent difference in achievement or attitude related to location. The importance of…

Describes class exercises where undergraduates construct and test mathematical models using data and issues related to social security. The students collect data and forecast economic and demographic variables that determine future tax rates. They then discuss government policies that are derived from their models. (MJP)

Presents findings from food frequency questionnaires and surveys of 138 Midwestern eighth-grade student-parent pairs. The study examined the incidence of modifiable and nonmodifiable osteoporosis risk factors and compared gender differences. Data analysis indicated that many adolescents possessed several modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors…