Discusses how connecting instruction, professional development, and student learning can make the difference between successful and unsuccessful data use. Uses a case-study approach to show that by acknowledging that implementation occurs over time, schools can safeguard against discarding new instructional practices prematurely. (Contains one…

Describes the way a relational database management system manages a large historical data collection project. Shows that such databases are practical to construct. States that the programing tasks involved are not for beginners, but the rewards of having data organized are worthwhile. (GG)

Reports on a study that tested methods to control or reduce spurious response in order to improve survey technique. Examines two methods of controlling spurious response: alerting respondents that some questionnaire items are false, and using the "don't know" response option. Finds that only the "don't know" option actually…

Discusses the implications of changing demographics on college campuses. Describes errors that may arise in statistical interpretations regarding womens' advancement in higher education. Urges minority groups to assume postures of collaboration rather that competition and stresses the importance of providing educational access to all who seek…

Standardized patient case problems were administered to approximately 280 final year medical students. Results indicate that performance on a given component of clinical competence shows less consistency when measured on different cases than does performance on different components measured on the same case. (TJH)

Evaluates the methodological adequacy of 37 studies of reading comprehension strategy instruction according to criteria of both internal and external validity. Finds many strengths, but identifies six important weaknesses. Suggests guidelines for planning future studies, and urges comprehension researchers to pay more attention to methodological…

A report "Some Popular Assertions about School Administration: Are They Myths or Realities?" by the Educational Research Service, disproves the following assertions: that there are too many administrators; that the number is growing rapidly; and that increasing amounts of school budgets are going to administration. (MLF)

Results from this study indicate that a cutoff consisting of the mean plus a half standard deviation is more desirable than the original mean plus one standard deviation strategy for categorizing respondents into a "pure" identity status. Status-specific comparisons indicated groups were not significantly different on measures of…

Presents an activity that allows students to experience the type of discovery process that paleontologists necessarily followed during the early dinosaur explorations. Students are read parts of a story taken from the "American Journal of Science" and interpret the evidence leading to the discovery of Triceratops and Stegosaurus. (PR)

Reports a study to examine the role of context on the ability to interpret graphs. Graph tests involving 2 ecological contexts were presented to 14- and 15-year-old students (n=23) in the form of an interview. Results indicated how students used their contextual knowledge in interpreting the graphs. (MDH)

A proposed solution for the age x cohort x period issue in lifespan research uses all data, even with missing cells; can be used for repeated measures designs or designs in which new subjects are measured at each period; and allows assessment of each main effect and two-way interaction. (SLD)

Asserts that much of research currently conducted in counselor education and supervision is unreliable and invalid. Presents tabulation of research designs and errors in manuscripts submitted to "Counselor Education and Supervision." Notes that over 80% of submitted studies were descriptive designs and nearly one-half had errors that invalidated…

Describes a series of 16 longitudinal studies conducted by Utah State University on alternative early intervention programs for disabled children, focusing on the intensity of intervention, the age intervention begins, and parent involvement. Reviews factors that gave rise to the studies, research designs and procedures, and data interpretation.…

The article examines the concepts of power and control in research design and applies them to a review of the validity of three studies (EC 600 064-066) evaluating the effectiveness of using Irlen tinted lenses with reading-disabled persons. Internal validity, external validity, statistical conclusion validity, and construct validity are…

Discusses the need for a revitalization of a scientific agenda for clinical supervision. Reviews philosophy of science and scientific methods and attempts to disentangle common misconceptions about a scientific agenda as applied to supervision. Exhorts supervisors to be critical consumers of research and theory and to pursue programmatic and…