This paper examines interaction in a school class through the factor-analytical P-technique, considers the behavior of the factor scores in combination with certain other variables included in the interaction matrix, explores the formation of homogeneous groups of lessons in a grouping analysis based on the factor scores, and compares this latter…

This study examines quantification of the instructional process through the use of Markov chaining, and by considering the transition probabilities within a framework provided by the taxonomy used, attempts to obtain information about behavior sequences common to all lessons. (Author/DLG)

Matching, randomization, random sampling, and other methods of controlling extraneous variation are discussed. The purpose was to specify the benefits of randomization in estimating causal effects of treatments. It is concluded that randomization should be employed whenever possible, but the use of carefully controlled nonrandomized data to…

By and large behavioral scientists, particularly in education and psychology lack the sophisticated mathematical understanding necessary for adequate statistical analysis, especially multivariate analysis. And incompetent use of measurement theory, psychometry, and statistics cannot but lead to bad research. The remedy for this is better…

Phase II of the Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study was designed to provide data relevant to policies that might be developed for teacher preparation and licensing. A portion of the data from Phase II is used to illustrate how the research was designed to answer these policy questions and how the data implies provisional answers to them. To answer…

This document is the fourth and final report of a study sponsored by the Office of Child Development of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare to determine patterns of child care usage and related consumer preferences, attitudes and opinions about child care. The study was based on 4609 personal interviews conducted in 1975 from a…

Student's empirical sampling approach is used to assess the magnitude of the sampling errors of statistics describing a recursive causal model. The data were gathered with four complex sample designs commonly used in educational surveys. Jackknife and half-sample error estimates are applied to the data. (Author/CTM)

Social science research does not fit well, either in its execution or in its results, with the organizational structure and the time requirements for decision making in the federal administrative system. Different organization of research for procedural questions and policy issues could eliminate this ill-timing. (Author/KR)

After offering some possible explanations for the existing inadequacies in evaluating organizational training programs, the authors discuss several evaluation issues, particularly internal validity. Methods for overcoming evaluation inadequacies and the implications for better controlled evaluation designs are also covered. (EM)

The first of a series of columns which will describe the progress of a longitudinal research project on the writing process funded by the National Institute of Education for two years. (DD)

Research methodology is discussed in the context of the nature of the knowledge that is needed about visually impaired children. (Author)

Scientific rigor, including research design and data analysis, has been established and can now be applied to careful investigations outside the laboratory. This rigor can assist in studying the areas of human development and behavior. Without it, research in natural environments will continue to be inadequate and inaccurate sources of knowledge.…

Critical features of sound observational studies fall under three categories: the sampling framework; the theoretical model; and the statistical procedure. If the methodology for explanatory, rather than descriptive, observational studies can be applied within these categories, more consistent, convincing, useful explanations of educational…

Theory pertaining to human development suggests that, as students advance through the secondary-school grades, the learning structures should become less restrictive. This research examines the extent to which "structure" within the secondary school environments changes in accordance with growth in students from year 8 to year 12. (Editor/RK)