Discussion of journal pricing and its effects on academic libraries focuses on data from the Optical Society of America's pricing study that used price per 1,000 words as a quantitative evaluative tool. Data collection methodology is described, and implications of the results for library collection development are suggested. (eight references)…

An example of real-world data is used to introduce comprehensible and visual images of the data and their attributes and relationships. Stem-and-leaf plots, box-and-whisker plots, and scattergrams are used to encourage prompt recognition of data characteristics and to effect appropriate interpretations and inferences. (JJK)

Two articles discuss elementary school mathematics. One focuses on data collection, suggesting a children's counting book, "How Many Feet in the Bed?", to initiate several possible problems. The other offers a measuring activity for finding average heights and a survey activity to determine the characteristics of an average student. (SM)

Criteria to guide classroom assessment practice are determine the extent to which assessment practices are based on tasks and activities that are representative of instructional intention and translate into specific information collection, interpretation, evaluation, and reporting procedures; address the accuracy of the assessment; and consider…

InSight, a series of 10 HyperCard stacks, provides optometry students with first-hand experience with a number of visual phenomena and a variety of experimental data acquisition and analysis techniques. Each stack contains background information on the experiment topic, instructions, references to the literature, and questions to be answered.…

Explains a system designed by the Montgomery County Department of Public Libraries to develop objective data based on time costs to help make decisions regarding children's program resources. Budgets and library priorities are discussed, a form for gathering data on programs is provided, and suggestions for modifications for other libraries are…

This study examined placement patterns of students with severe disabilities in three states, to analyze factors influencing national monitoring and reporting of least restrictive environment issues. The study found that the means by which states collect child count data to report to the federal government are inadequate to meet present…

Diary studies in language teaching are first-person case studies in which the diarist-researcher investigates his/her own language learning or teaching through by recording personal observations. A diary study of a teacher of English for Academic Purposes II is described, including data collection, procedures, and problems. (10 references) (LB)

Government and private agencies in Alberta, Canada, have voluntarily joined to establish the Alberta Disability Database, to bring statistical order out of the numerical chaos of disability data. This paper discusses the program's financing, confidentiality, definitions, access, archiving, consultation, and coordination. (JDD)

Advantages of direct observation are prominent in assessment of dietary intake by children, particularly those too young to recall diet accurately, and in situations in which self-report bias exists. The article describes the direct observation method (focusing on institutional settings) and reviews literature on the subject, noting methodological…

Literature review examined studies of validity and reliability of children's physical activity self-reports and measures based on others' reports of the child's activity. The study identified 18 self-report or proxy-report measures of children's physical activity with some data on their reliability or validity. (SM)

Reviews several mechanical and electronic techniques for monitoring physical activity in children. The paper focuses on motion sensors (Large Scale Integrated Sensor and Caltrac Accelerometer) and heart rate, and it presents recommendations for establishing general guidelines for appropriate use of such monitoring devices with children. (SM)

Summarizes health-related physical fitness measurement procedures for children, emphasizing field measures. Health-related physical fitness encompasses cardiorespiratory endurance, body composition, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility. The article presents several issues pertinent to research on health-related fitness testing. (SM)

The study analyzed 102 family members' and practitioners' opinions about expected early intervention outcomes for families of disabled individuals, and identified preferences for information gathering methods concerning family strengths and needs for Individualized Family Service Plans. (Author/PB)

Discusses how grocery shopping activities can help primary and intermediate grade students develop mathematics skills useful in real life. (BB)