There is need for objective and reliable single-case research (SCR) results in the movement toward evidence-based interventions (EBI), for inclusion in meta-analyses, and for funding accountability in clinical contexts. Yet SCR deals with data that often do not conform to parametric data assumptions and that yield results of low reliability. A…

The study describes how to design and optimize an experiment with multiple factors and multiple responses. The experiment uses fractional factorial analysis as a screening experiment only to identify important instrumental factors and does not use response surface methodology to find the optimal set of conditions.

Research in the behavioral and health sciences frequently involves the application of one-factor analysis of variance models. The goal may be to compare several independent groups of subjects on a quantitative dependent variable or to compare measurements made on a single group of subjects on different occasions or under different conditions. In…

Researchers frequently deal with data that are cyclical in nature. This paper presents a methodological procedure that can be used to determine if a roller-coaster effect exists in repeated measures data. The procedure incorporates three key components. First, the researcher may find it necessary to analyze each participant's data set separately…

Factorial analyses differ from nonfactorial analyses in that in the former all possible hypotheses (all possible main effects and interaction effects) are tested regardless of their substantive interest to the researcher and their interpretability, while in the latter, only substantive and interpretable hypotheses are tested. This paper shows the…

Similarities and differences in the univariate and multivariate analysis of repeated measures designs are discussed, using a hypothetical data set studying the effects of practice on the algebra performance of four students to illustrate both methods. When data are analyzed through the univariate approach and the homogeneity assumption is…

This paper introduces focus group interview research. It presents a description of the principal characteristics of such research, consideration of some applications by colleges and universities, a description of the planning and implementation involved, and examples from a study using this approach at Carleton College, Minnesota. To begin, the…

Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) is a data analysis method that is often used to control extraneous sources of variation in non-equivalent group designs. It is commonly believed that as long as the covariate is highly correlated with the dependent variable there is nothing to lose in using ANCOVA, even in non-randomized studies. This paper examines…

Intended to evoke discussion in the research community about the research trend of the 21st century, this paper provides a broad, general definition of qualitative research that covers the many terms currently used under this heading, and discusses seven issues that the research community should address in some manner: (1) new or fad; (2) too many…

This report presents a research plan to guide the determination of the empirical relationship between level of maintenance training simulator fidelity and training effectiveness. Chapter I describes data collection and analysis activities undertaken to provide guidance for fidelity decision making by the training simulator development community.…

Complete paired comparisons data was obtained by use of multiple rank order (MRO) in the context of gathering rank order preferences of grade six students, their parents, and teachers for instructional objectives. Partially balanced incomplete block designs with two associate classes were used in the MRO instruments instead of the usual balanced…

Author attempted to prove that one can get useful and reliable information about standards in school mathematics. (Author/RK)

The purpose of this study was to compare the relative classificatory ability of the Linear Discriminant Function (LDF) and the Bayesian Taxonomic Procedure (BTP) when these techniques are applied to multivariate normal and nonnormal data with differing degrees of overlap in the distributions of the predictor variables. (Editor)

This paper focuses on the organizational group, noting the lack of an integrated theoretical base, describing the nature of group behavior theories, and suggesting the employment of a metatheory framework to improve both the theoretical integration and the practical application of group behavior research. The paper first considers four general…