Reviews how census data are used every day to make decisions in businesses, government agencies, and community organizations. Identifies key tools used in demographic analysis, suggesting applications of demographic data at a local level. Concludes with ideas for student activities, including guidelines for creating a community profile. (LS)

A data feedback method based on observations of daily activities was tested in 11 Swedish day care centers. Advantages and disadvantages of the use of data collectors from different organizational levels were studied. Hindrances to the change process are discussed. (NH)

The effects of certain characteristics (e.g., sample design) of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data on statistical analysis techniques are considered. Ignoring special features of NAEP data and proceeding with a standard analysis can produce inferences that underestimate the true variability and overestimate the true degrees of…

Audio-cueing (prompting) is an effective intervention strategy to improve selected teaching behaviors (positive behavior feedback; positive specific skill feedback). The subject of the study was an experienced male elementary (K-8) physical education specialist. Post-checks revealed positive skill feedback improvement was sustained after 6 months,…

A fairly traditional precalculus problem is modified to address some common concerns with the teaching of problem solving. Areas of problem solving which are illustrated include: posing the problem; modeling the problem; transforming the data; and examining the solution. (PK)

Comments on the ideas presented by Entwisle and Astone in this issue. Suggests that to produce sound measurements of children's socioeconomic background requires a substantial investment in coding, data collection, and management. Nevertheless, a standard set of racial-ethnic and socioeconomic variables, no matter how well measured, cannot serve…

Discusses the important role of graphs in conveying scientific information and the use of computer software in amplifying the value of graphs as tools for scientific investigation. Topics discussed include: skills required for analyzing and interpreting graphs, software design, and teaching and learning strategies. (JRH)

Reports on a descriptive profile of college students' HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Students reported good HIV knowledge and positive attitudes regarding infected individuals but also reported high risk behaviors. It is proposed that information from this study will supply useful information for national health objectives for…

Advocates for ethnosciences courses in higher education. Compares the epistemology of Western science and traditional tribal knowledge, including methods of information gathering, data interpretation, fragmented versus holistic approach, and world views. Discusses the expansion of some fields of scientific inquiry to include…

Presents a nontechnical introduction to the field of statistics. Includes discussions on descriptive statistics, random variables, mean, standard deviation, standardized scores, and inferential statistics. Describes six statistical software packages available for IBM personal computers and compatibles. (KR)

Data about outpatient treatment unit follow-up evaluations drawn from selected evaluation items in the recent National Drug Abuse Treatment Survey are reported. Directors and supervisors of 670 units completed surveys describing the follow-up studies. The majority of programs collecting follow-up data used the information for program change. (SLD)

Analysis of mortality in a population of 1,300 people with mental retardation living in the community revealed that 14 people died over a 4-year period. Cause of death was avoidable in three patients. The sentinel health event methodology and case-by-case mortality reviews are recommended for monitoring avoidable deaths in community residential…

This article discusses use of child interview data to decide whether or not a child has been sexually abused. It examines the role of child interview findings from a historical perspective, discusses the challenge of researching criteria indicative of a true allegation, reviews existing studies of child interview data, draws conclusions, and…

Presents an introductory activity in statistics in which a mathematics class is divided into groups to "draft" teams of major league baseball players. Describes the drafting procedure, charting the team, scoring, roster changes, and gathering and evaluating data. Includes draft list, daily box scores, and cumulative box scores. (MKR)

Presents activities using the theme of collecting and interpreting data from the students' own classroom. Stresses communication among students and between students and the teacher. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)