This paper presents a research method derived from the functional analysis of behavior currently common among operant behavior therapists. Naturalistic observation, the method used, encompasses behavioral-level description of events, systematic observation and recording by means of codes, assessment of inter-judge reliability, as well as targeting…

The most essential element in the Research and Development (R&D) process is the provision for repeated field testing, evaluation, and revision until the product reaches its objectives. This process can be implemented to improve the instructional process in two ways: to improve the instructional skills and strategies of teachers; and to develop…

Persons quantifying classroom verbal interaction may obtain varying results as a consequence of using different media forms in their experiments. A study was done to see if the medium used in the codification process has an effect upon data obtained, and if so, what the nature of the effect is. Codification consists of the translation of observed…

Summary descriptions of the samples of teachers who participated in different project activities are given. In addition, descriptions of reporters of incidents in each student behavior category are outlined. (See TM 001 375 for project description.) (MS)

This document describes one phase of efforts to reorganize music curricula in the K-12 General Music program in Duval County, Florida. Following the Systems Approach for Education (SAFE) curriculum development model, a curriculum for the junior-high General Music course was designed, based on performance objectives. A teacher test booklet was…

In attempting to define the "ecology" of human development, the term's history and connotations are discussed. The ecological approach requires that the person, the environment, and the relations between them be conceptualized in terms of systems, and subsystems within systems. The experimental situation is not limited to being…

To evaluate a specific program means to compare it against a standard that specifies what the program should be like at a specific time. Standards may be constructed in three ways: surface standards force the definition into a model shaped by scientific procedure; deep standards include information on the inputs, processes, and outputs for each…

Gains of students in compensatory education programs are contrasted using fall-to-spring gains as opposed to fall-to-fall gains. Results indicate substantial loss for compensatory education students over the summer. Using fall-to-fall scores is recommended. (JKS)

Problems encountered in large-scale educational evaluations are discussed using the evaluation of the Emergency School Aid Act as an example. This extensive article focuses primarily on methodological issues. (JKS)

The effects of imagery instructions on fifth-graders with differing abilities were examined through within-class analysis and analysis in which class effects were allowed to have influence. In the latter analysis there were significant Aptitude X Treatment interactions with subscores derived from paired-associate tasks. Interactions were…

Textbook calculations of statistical power or sample size follow from formulas that assume that the variables under consideration are measured without error. However, in the real world of behavioral research, errors of measurement cannot be neglected. The determination of sample size is discussed, and an example illustrates blocking strategy.…

The possible biasing effects of attrition of subjects in longitudinal experiments is a problem to which social science researchers and evaluators rarely attend. A study of research on Project Follow Through, however, revealed few differences in family income or pretest scores, between students who dropped out of treatment and of comparison groups.…

A 3-year research project (1974-77) in connection with the national campaign against adult illiteracy involves assessing the role of broadcasting in motivating adults to ask for help, investigating appropriate instructional media, and correlating the various learning situations and the subsequent social benefits. Some problems of research design…

"No significant differences" is the most frequently quoted conclusion of surveys comparing the effectiveness of alternative instructional technologies. While this effectiveness conclusion does not differ for the research reported here, the other purposes are to discuss alternative criteria for measuring effectiveness and to analyze potential…

The adverse impact of a content-valid job sample test of metal trades skills was compared to that of a well-constructed content-valid written achievement test for the same technical area. The adverse impact of the former was considerably less. Suggests that industrial psychologists should explore more fully the potential of performance testing.…