Presents the findings from a nationwide survey by the Educational Research Service, Inc. of principals on early childhood education. (MD)

The technique of generalizing sample results in a classification study to large subpopulations of unequal sizes was examined. The usual output from the discriminant analysis routine in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was extended to handle the present statistical problems. Advantages of the technique were discussed. (Author/DWH)

The main features of a multiple site, structured case study design are presented. The nature of explanatory patterns, how case study investigators pursue and recognize valid patterns, and how an analyst can apply the same logic to cross-site analysis are discussed. (Author/BW)

A dialog between two fictional teachers provides some basic examples of how research that uses approved methodology may provide results that are significant statistically but not significant practically. (PGD)

The second half of a dialogue between two fictional teachers examines the significance of statistical significance in research and considers the factors affecting the extent to which research results provide important or useful information. (PGD)

A sampling subspace in hypothesis testing where Type II error is made for completely illogical reasons from the standpoint of probability is described. The case of unequal probabilities of populations or conditions is also considered. (Author/BS)

Examined volunteering bias in racial, gender, and age groups in an adult development study. Results showed the middle-aged group volunteered at a higher rate, but this effect was restricted to Whites. Women volunteered more readily than men, except the elderly. Whites volunteered more readily than Blacks. (JAC)

The speech products of 104 young adult Melbourne males were analyzed in order to determine whether the linguistic dimensions of the speech product bear a necessary relationship to the cognitive dimensions. (Editor)

The purpose of this paper is to highlight some psychometric cautions that should be observed when seeking to develop short form versions of tests. Several points are made: (1) score reliability is impacted directly by the characteristics of the sample and testing conditions; (2) sampling error has a direct influence on reliability and factor…

This paper is designed to identify effective methods and to lay out steps that can be used in a customer feedback survey process. In order for the results of any customer survey to stimulate useful changes in an organization, it is essential that the support of key players be present from the beginning. Developing a customer feedback process is a…

The use of and emphasis on statistical significance testing has pervaded educational and behavioral research for many decades in spite of criticism by prominent researchers in this field. Much of the controversy is caused by lack of understanding or misinterpretations. This paper reviews criticisms of statistical significance testing and discusses…

Scores on the multiple-choice sections of alternate forms are equated through anchor-test equating for the Advanced Placement Program (AP) examinations. There is no linkage of free-response sections since different free-response items are given yearly. However, the free-response and multiple-choice sections are combined to produce a composite.…

It is erroneous to extend or generalize the inter-rater reliability coefficient estimated from only a (small) proportion of the sample to the rest of the sample data where only one rater is used for scoring, although such generalization is often made implicitly in practice. It is shown that if inter-rater reliability estimate from part of a sample…

This codebook contains the layout and descriptive information for survey and sampling variables for the public-use version of the 1993-94 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS). Information in this volume allows the user to access the data file. This volume opens with a discussion of created variables and some user notes. Four appendixes contain the…