Describes steps taken to improve usage of a public library young adult collection: (1) a survey of students' reading interests and needs; (2) analysis of the collection; (3) comparison of survey results with the collection; and (4) selection of additional titles. An annotated bibliography, the questionnaire, and survey results are appended. (11…

Surveyed computer content in administration courses among 80 graduate schools of social work and 207 instructors in the schools. Found that 89% of schools offered at least one administration course integrating content on computer use; 43% of administration courses reported included such material. Faculty rated computer training as important,…

A causal model is proposed and estimated to assess the relative influence of precollege attributes, institutional characteristics, and academic, social, and career-related collegiate experiences on the socioeconomic achievement of 2,118 former college students over a nine-year period. (Author/MLW)

Several methods for dealing with incomplete multivariate data and ways to examine the effectiveness of these methods are discussed. It is concluded that pairwise and listwise deletions are among the least effective methods in terms of approximating the results, whereas estimates based on correlational procedures generally produce the most accurate…

This article develops a production frontier model for the Employment Service and assesses the relative efficiency of the 51 State Employment Security Agencies in attaining program outcomes close to that frontier. This approach stands in contrast to such established practices as comparing programs to their own previous performance. (Author/CT)

Discusses the use of microcomputers in science education: (1) computer-assisted instruction; (2) testing; (3) data processing; (4) simulation; (5) teacher assistance; and (6) data collection. Gives educational applications of microcomputer-based laboratories, pointing out advantages and disadvantages. Outlines current drawbacks and makes…

Used experimental tasks--spontaneous telling of a story, reading, and parsing--to determine whether empirical data reflect narrative structure of stories. It was concluded that spontaneous pausing reflects the narrative structure and can be used as a guide to constructing theories of narrative structure and deciding between competing theories.…

A study to provide some measurable benchmarks of the advancement process at small colleges is described. Data are presented on budgets, spending per function, professional staff, chief advancement officer, support staff, recruitment costs, fund-raising revenues and costs, and developing institutions. (MLW)

In a study of the social processes of undergraduate pharmacy education, extensive observations and interviews were conducted with 35 pharmacy students and 18 pharmacy preceptors as they participated in two hospital clerkships affiliated with one school of pharmacy. (Author/JLW)

Distinguishes between assumptions underlying naturalistic inquiry and experimentalism; summarizes the consequent methodologies, data analysis techniques and characteristic results associated with naturalistic inquiry; describes naturalistic study of a large-scale instructional development program; presents study results and their characteristics…

This study of training needs utilized a questionnaire to assess participant's opinions of knowledge level that should exist and knowledge level that does exist in 25 content areas and analyzed the resultant data using three different approaches: mean difference analysis, multicomponent data analysis, and weighted need index. (MBR)

Spatial mapping is a category system for directly observing instruction in art classrooms. A rationale for studying the spatial dimensions of teaching is presented, how to train observers is explained, procedures involved in a mapping episode are described, methods for analyzing data are suggested, and examples of instruments are presented.…

Discusses learner/computer interaction, learner control, sequencing of instructional events, and graphic screen design as effective principles for the design of instructional software, including tutorials. (MBR)

Demonstrates how case study evaluation concentrates on a single situation to present a holistic view of an experiential learning program and reveals unique and unanticipated features. Outlines steps of planning, gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, and reporting data and considers the advantages and disadvantages of the case study approach. (LFL)

A meta-analysis of studies examining the criterion validity of student course evaluation data is discussed. Results indicate that the overall size of effect is not only highly significant, but also very meaningful when analyzed in relation to enhancing the likelihood of making more accurate tenure decisions. (Author/MLW)