In the educational research literature alpha, the a priori level of significance, and p, the a posteriori probability of obtaining a test statistic of at least a certain value when the null hypothesis is true, are often confused. Explanations for this confusion are offered. Paradoxically, alpha retains a prominent place in textbook discussions of…

It is easy to observe that meta-analysis is quickly establishing itself as useful tool of the social sciences. Perusal of representative journals confirms that meta-analysis has been applied in various ways to diverse literatures. It is imperative, therefore, that reviewers, publishers, consumers, and critics of these reviews be best informed…

Investigated were cognitive processes involved in probability guessing in terms of autonomic changes with 48 educable mentally retarded adolescents. (Author/DB)

Seventy-one college students were taught probability and statistics for one month by one of three methods: MP, manipulative-pictorial; P, pictorial; and S, symbolic. Analysis of variance yielded significant differences (p.05) between treatment groups for selected subtests of an achievement test and generally favored MP and P over S.

Nine problem situations involving the use of random numbers are given. Topics include cooking, hunting, bacteria contamination, waiting lines, ransom walks, and branching. In addition to the problem situation, questions are suggested which can be used to extend the investigations. (LS)

This unit is designed for elementary school students in intermediate grades. It is designed to make mathematics enjoyable, promote systematic thinking, practice and reinforce arithmetic skills, and provide opportunity for independent research. The student manual contains twelve lessons with background information and activities. In addition, the…

Decision analysis is a quantitative method that permits the systematic evaluation of the costs or benefits accruing to courses of action that might be taken in a decision problem. It entails identification of the alternative choices involved, the assignment of values (costs/benefits) for possible outcomes, and the expression of the probability of…

A Bayesian statistical procedure separating storage from retrieval was used to study development and release of proactive interference in the Brown-Peterson paradigm. A theory of PI is developed stressing response competition at test time and interference in transfer between short- and long-term memory. (CHK)

Several ideas for activities related to statistical concepts and the methods of using probability to analyze situations are presented. (SD)

Research supported by the U.S. Office of Education, Contract OEC-6-10-239.

The use of statistical methods in the design and analysis of discrete algorithms is explored. The introductory chapter contains a literature survey and background material on probability theory. In Chapter 2, probabilistic approximation algorithms are discussed with the goal of exposing and correcting some oversights in previous work. Chapter 3…

While research has shown that both black and white children can clearly discriminate (usually through the use of dolls or puppets) with respect to ethnic identification by the age of 3-4 years, findings regarding ethnic preference are more complex. Researcher W.C. Banks has implied that research designs that compare ethnic preferences across…

TWO BASIC NEEDS OF THE DECISIONMAKER ARE IDENTIFIED--THE NEED TO FUNCTION UNDER CONDITIONS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CERTAINTY AND THE NEED TO BE VIGILANT AFTER THE INITIAL DECISION HAS BEEN MADE. PSYCHOLOGICAL CERTAINTY IS DETERMINED BY THE PERSON'S ASSESSMENT OF HIS ENVIRONMENT OR LIFE SPACE AND THE RESOURCES HE HAS AT HIS COMMAND, BOTH OF WHICH ARE…

In an invitational address to the Victorian Institute of Educational Research, the author discussed Bayesian theory and its relationship to the design and construction of tailored or adaptive tests. Bayesian thinking involves recognizing the role of prior probabilities and using these probabilities in combination with new data to arrive at future…