Describes activities designed to encourage students to analyze and interpret graphs. Activities include using software to draw clear bottles, fill them gradually, measure and record the water height, then graph the volume and height relationship; graphing cause and effect relationships between gender, height, and shoe size; and graphing…

Discusses activities to teach Cartesian graphing to young children in a conceptual way. Activities are organized around the concepts of finding one's way around in a plane and using the plane to represent variables in two dimensions by graphing equations in the usual way. (25 references) (MKR)

Multivariate permutation tests are described, and some are suggested as substitutions for Hotelling's one-sample T2 test in common situations in behavioral science research. A Monte Carlo study shows advantages of these tests when the T2 test fails or is suspect. (SLD)

Estimation/smoothing methods that are flexible enough to fit a wide variety of test score distributions are reviewed: kernel method, strong true-score model-based method, and method that uses polynomial log-linear models. Applications of these methods include describing/comparing test score distributions, estimating norms, and estimating…

Presented is a way to measure the sun's radiation by using a radiometer. Directions for building both simple and complex radiometers, circuit diagrams, and an explanation on how they work are included. (KR)

F. Samejima's approximation for the bias function for the maximum likelihood estimate of the latent trait in the general case where item responses are discrete is explored. Observations are made about the behavior of this bias function for the dichotomous response level in general. Empirical examples are given. (SLD)

A probabilistic choice model, based on L. L. Thurstone's Law of Comparative Judgment Case V, is developed for paired comparisons data about psychological stimuli. The model assumes that each stimulus is measured on a small number of physical variables. An algorithm for estimating parameters is illustrated with real data. (SLD)

Discusses developments in document management systems based on a survey of over 400 corporations and government agencies. Text retrieval and imaging markets, architecture and integration, purchasing plans, and vendor market leaders are covered. Five graphs present data on user preferences for improvements. A sidebar article reviews the development…

Discussed is the method of substitution of variables within the framework of precalculus level extremum problems, both maximum and minimum. Many examples with graphical representations are provided. (JJK)

Describes study of college students that was conducted to determine whether increasing the amount of data in different graphic formats affects the interpretation of quantitative information. Immediate and delayed recall are examined, and correlations between graphic format and field dependence and independence are discussed. (12 references) (LRW)

The reliability of visual inspection in single-case research was investigated by determining agreement among 5 judges visually inspecting 44 graphs depicting behavior from baseline to intervention. Agreement between visual inspection and statistical procedures was determined. Implications for single-case research are discussed. (SLD)

Boswell Center Psychotropic Medication Efficacy Graphs were developed to monitor the longitudinal effects of psychotropic medication on individuals with mental retardation, with less reliance on anecdotal recollections. Levels of maladaptive and prosocial behaviors, medication side-effects, and psychotropic medication were considered…

Describes an activity to determine whether the length of the yellow (warning) signal of a traffic light provides adequate time to stop or pass through the intersection. Discusses the necessary equations, mathematics, and subsequent graphs. (MVL)

The eight articles and two commentaries of this theme issue indicate the main lines of thinking represented at a symposium on the comprehension of graphics in text. The common assumption is that graphics per se do not have a direct effect on learning results but are effective only when processed adequately. (SLD)

This National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME) instructional module compares classical test theory and item response theory and describes their applications in test development. Related concepts, models, and methods are explored; and advantages and disadvantages of each framework are reviewed. (SLD)