The authors argue that a parameterization in terms of cell means is a useful conceptual device for resolving problems inherent in the nonorthogonal analysis of variance. They demonstrate their argument by considering two widely-used methods for testing main effects. (Author/BW)

Presents an alternative approach to the life cycle which avoids the creation of monolithic age categories and exclusive reliance upon the unidimensional index of chronological age. Data exemplify the potential utility of age status graphing in understanding the life cycle. (JAC)

Considers alternative strategies for optimizing statistical power in applied psychological research, including increasing sample size, combining predictors, and increasing alpha. Concluded that a priori power analysis should be a major consideration in any test of an hypothesis. Alpha level adjustment should be viewed as useful for increasing…

Investigated the consistency and loci of leniency, halo, and range restriction effects in performance ratings in a longitudinal study. Policy supervisors (N=90) rated 350 subordinates on five occasions. Concluded that reliable variance in mean ratings is partly attributable to ratees, but mainly introduced by raters. (JAC)

The central idea of evidence-based education--that education policy and practice ought to be fashioned based on what is known from rigorous research--offers a compelling way to approach reform efforts. Recent federal trends reflect a growing enthusiasm for such change. Most visibly, the 2002 No Child Left Behind Act requires that…

This paper presents a discussion of various statistical concepts and techniques in light of two propositions. The first is that researchers need to select analytical techniques that prevent them from committing Type VI errors, which are inconsistencies between the research question and the statistical analysis. The second is that many statistical…

This paper presents results from a preliminary investigation in which researchers manipulated the cover story of an open-ended assessment that required students to design an experiment. Participants were 27 sixth graders from a culturally diverse urban school. In one version of the cover story, students were asked to design an experiment to test a…

This study is an inquiry into the use of the Kolb Learning Styles Inventory (KLSI) as a training tool rather than as strictly a diagnostic tool. The idea is to assess whether it is possible to alter the perception of learners on the divergence of learning styles through an appropriate conditioning process. Using an experimental design this study…

This handbook presents current explanations of how each survey program of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) obtains and prepared the data it publishes. The handbook aims to provide users of NCES data with the most current information necessary to evaluate the suitability of the statistics for their needs, with a focus on the…

This study examined the process followed by graduate students in the formation of research problems for their dissertations. Narratives were solicited from researchers who received Spencer Awards for their dissertation research, and researchers received 30 narratives that described the process of research problem formation. The grounded theory…

This book is a broad-spectrum guide, suitable for all courses in basic research. It guides the student from problem selection to completed research report with practical suggestions based on a solid theoretical framework and learning procedure. As a do-it-yourself guide, it is useful for students who are left to their own resources in executing…

The purpose of this paper is to report the results of a field experiment designed to test the effects of manipulating several elements of an operative level performance appraisal system. (Author)

The main objective of this study is to present some differences in the ways boys see themselves and in the ways girls see themselves. (Author)

To examine the agreement of linguists and non-linguists concerning the acceptability of surface structure, 48 under-graduates classified each of 66 sentences as acceptable or unacceptable while playing different roles. High agreement was confirmed. (Author/KM)

Analyzes the 1972 Minnesota NCTE Seminar on Research in the Teaching of English, records impressions of the experience, and discusses future concerns of researchers. (RB)