Explains why some programs fail to prove themselves in evaluations yet have substantial benefits. Documents a method of administering self-reports, pre-then-post testing that helps to eliminate response-shift bias. (Author)

Results suggest that individuals enrolled in a death education seminar can acquire and/or enhance a variety of coping capacities in regard to self and others. Exposure to a full array of experiential and didactic components appears to be necessary. (Author)

The pretreatment personality scores were not significantly related to improved outcome scores at termination either as a main effect or for the interaction with treatment group. However, low neuroticism and high extraversion were associated with improved social adjustment one year later. (Author)

Examined effects of two movies, Like Other People and The Music Box, on attitudes as measured by the Attitudes toward Disabled Persons scale. Results indicated more negative attitudes were induced in pretested participants by Like Other People at initial post-test; however, more favorable attitudes were exhibited by participants six weeks later.…

A 60-minute, color videotape of a simulated adult physical examination was produced and used by the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy to introduce clinical clerkship students to the procedures involved in the physical examination. The videotape was evaluated by a 25-question pretest and posttest. (Author/MLW)

The effects of taking an attitude pretest on the attitude scores for a posttest were studied. A comparison was also made of the effects of negatively worded pretest questions. Small but statistically significant differences were found. (CTM)

This study analyzed motivational effects of type of instructional control on learning from computer-based instruction, according to Keller's ARCS (Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction) model of motivational design. Sixth graders in Korea were randomly assigned to either learner or program control groups, and results showed that the group…

First-year students (n=369) at an engineering institute were divided into experimental and control groups and given pre- and post-tests. Experimental groups were taught force concepts in mechanics in a constructivist way. Results found the new method helped students understand the interaction idea of the force concept. (MKR)

In Iowa high schools using instructional materials on total quality management (TQM) livestock practices, 1,099 students (68%) responded to a survey; 732 in a one-year follow-up. Females rated their use of TQM practices higher; 10th and 11th graders had higher ratings than 12th graders. Difficulties in survey administration suggested that…

Computer simulations indicate that the correlation between baseline and change, by itself, does not invalidate the use of gain scores to measure change, but when the negative correlation is accompanied by decrease in variance from pretest to posttest, covariance is a superior measure of change. (SLD)

The explicit, experimental introduction of a series of logical inconsistencies is described and recommended as a means of disrupting the faulty logic and, thereby, enhancing the use of more appropriate probabilistic reasoning by graduate students enrolled in an introductory inferential statistics course. (14 references) (JJK)

Physicians were asked to commit through learning contracts to pre/posttests, seminar attendance, and follow-up tests and surveys in a continuing medical education program on various new treatments. Results indicated lasting gains in knowledge and behavior changes in patient care. (SK)

Describes a pilot study that examined issues encountered when computers were used for a master's degree comprehensive examination. Computer-based testing is discussed; procedures used for administering the exam are detailed; pre- and posttests that examined student attitudes are described; and recommendations for using computers in comprehensive…

Presents a description and evaluation of a microcomputer-based system designed to diagnose errors in basic algorithmic procedures made by students in a college remedial mathematics class. The paper-and-pencil diagnostic test is described, and results of pretests and posttests for the computer group and control group are discussed. (five…

This study questions the effectiveness of a traditional teaching-by-example technique when used with students who hold misconceptions. Interview techniques were used to explore students' (n=21) responses to two different uses of examples and to provide indications of student reasoning. Results indicate that when students hold a misconception,…