Discussion of the evaluation of educational software highlights two evaluation methods: (1) the York Educational Software Evaluation Scales (YESES), a criterion-based evaluation, and (2) a field-testing approach developed at York University. Guidelines for the field-testing approach include an emphasis on the observation of students. (22…

This article describes a series of qualitative and quantitative methods used to test a community-based needs assessment model that is bias free and socioculturally relevant for indigenous populations. Results of a field test involving 100 Hawaiian children are presented, and implications for policy formation are discussed. (SLD)

Describes the development of an evaluation instrument, the Environment Rating Scale for Public Library Children's Services, that addresses the need to know how effectively the public library is serving children's needs. Field tests of the first draft and reliability testing of the second draft are described, and future plans are discussed. (nine…

A method is presented to use school-level attributes in sample description and random assignment of schools to conditions in drug prevention programs. Utility of archival data was examined using multivariate canonical techniques, and it was found that a small set of data could predict observed variations in drug use. (SLD)

Describes SIDE-VIEW, a computer-supported collaborative learning environment, and evaluates its effects in relation to the productivity of CSCL (computer-supported collaborative learning) groups. Discusses social identity and group behavior and reports on a field trial on international groups of higher education students, contrasting the role of…

Although the theory of evolution is the foundation of modern biology, students too rarely have an opportunity to watch selection operate in natural populations of animals. This lack may be partially responsible for the unfortunate ignorance of many people regarding the significance of evolution in biology. Laboratory exercises that directly study…

Science as inquiry is a key content standard #1 the National Science Education Standards; however, few secondary science teachers successfully and consistently implement inquiry-based instruction in their classrooms. This research examines the role of reform-based curricular materials in influencing the classroom practices of 12 high school…

The National Household Education Survey (NHES) was conducted for the first time in 1991 as a way to collect data on the early childhood education experiences of young children and participation in adult education. Because the NHES methodology is relatively new, field tests were necessary. A large field test of approximately 15,000 households was…

The Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy developed and field-tested a curriculum and instructional materials for teaching occupationally specific vocabulary in the health care field. The materials, which are in the form of a narrative about a woman who learns medical terminology from a friend, were designed to serve as a vehicle for training…

A 36-item observation instrument was developed for measuring appropriate social development in infants and toddlers. Checklist items indicated such behaviors as asking, protecting, comforting, lending, sharing, hugging, playing with, joining, laughing, smiling, looking at, performing request, leading, following, and conversing. Use of the…

The Sex Equity Project for Lake County (Florida) Schools was undertaken to reduce sex bias and stereotyping among students and to encourage exploration of nontraditional occupations. The 1986-87 project focused on middle and high school students by assembling and distributing brochures and by making classroom presentations to eighth-grade…

The findings from a series of case studies of nine successful demonstration programs are summarized. The programs, funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission, included child development, vocational education, technology, economic development, and housing. The primary purpose of the case studies was to discover what makes programs successful. A…

In keeping with current Department of Defense policies on integrated diagnostics and a reduced reliance on paper-based documentation, the concept of a portable, expert-system-based job aid and training device was proposed to assist inexperienced electronics maintenance technicians in learning to maintain sophisticated equipment. A prototype was…

Over 300 resources on methods in cultural anthropology are listed under the following headings: archaeological methods; visual methods, tape recordings, and technical aids; cognitive anthropology and emic methods; community studies and complex societies; cross-cultural and hologeistic methods; ethnohistory; field work techniques and participant…

This program review guide discusses the Colorado Education Improvement Program, a process that enables local school districts and the Colorado Department of Education to provide quality education to Colorado's children, including migrant children. The purposes of the program are: (1) to provide a process for state education officials to supervise…