One in a series of nine articles in a section entitled, "Electronic Computer Program and Accounting Machine Procedures.

This quantitative analysis of published results on the effect of coaching on Scholastic Aptitude Test scores differs from previous studies by separating out the within-study sampling error from the variation in coaching effectiveness. The authors conclude that the size of the positive effect seems too small to be practically important. (Author/SK)

As a result of rejection by personnel psychologists of the erroneous law of small numbers and of the adoption of correct inferential procedures, the future of criterion-related validity promises to be bright. Probable future developments include widespread appreciation of the low statistical power characteristic of small samples. (Author)

Serial Evaluation Activities (SEAs) are series' of focused evaluational studies, each dealing with a well-defined "component unit" within a complex project. Strategies for enhancing timeliness in SEAs include a comprehensive conceptual framework, a permanent institutional setting, a prearranged sample plan, utilization of item banks, and…

Describes a study examing 34 introductory psychological statistics texts for their usage and definitions of the terms "random sample" and "simple random sampling." Results showed a high percentage of conceptual errors. (CK)

When the basic unit being studied is a grouping of individuals, both students and items can be sampled. When this method is applied to the use of log sheets to measure fidelity of program implementation, the normal limitations of self-reporting are reduced. (BW)

An experimental sampling procedure for communities on which coal had been surface-mined yielded missing cells and caused the number of degrees of freedom to be N instead of the usual N minus one. The apparent discrepancy is explained, and a solution to the problem is presented. (Author/JKS)

A study of the reported sampling methods and respondent/subject characteristics in 297 published communication research studies suggests that the vast majority of published communication research literature does not meet minimal scholarly standards for reporting research results. (GT)

Paired-samples experimental designs are appropriate and widely used when there is a natural correspondence or pairing of scores. However, researchers must not fail to consider the implications of undetected correlation between supposedly independent samples in the absence of explicit pairing. (SLD)

Studied whether the theoretical sampling distribution of the U3 person-fit statistic is in agreement with the simulated sampling distribution under different item response theory models and varying item and test characteristics. Simulation results suggest that the use of standard normal deviates for the standardized version of the U3 statistic may…

Articles on equating test forms in this issue are reviewed and discussed. The results of these papers collectively indicate that matching on the anchor test does not result in more accurate equating. Implications for research are discussed. (SLD)

The articles in this issue that address the effect of matching samples on ability are reviewed. In spite of these examinations of equating methods and sampling plans, it is still hard to determine a definitive answer to the question of to match or not to match. Implications are discussed. (SLD)