Described is a computer simulation that was used to help general education students enrolled in a large introductory geology course. The purpose of the simulation is to learn to interpret incomplete data. Students design a plan to collect bathymetric data for an area of the ocean. Procedures used by the students and instructor are included.…

Several important issues to improvement of teaching and learning are identified: accountability, assessing effectiveness, increasing demands for data, expanding technology and research, and minority participation in higher education. Useful tools for institutional researchers emerging from work at National Center for Research to Improve…

Argues that, though ethnography is a powerful methodology, it has rarely been used by educational researchers. Describes the research tradition of ethnography, compares ethnography with more common educational research practices, and discusses advantages of improved commuication for both mathematics education and educational anthrpology. (PK)

Presented are two examples including data sets for which calculating various elementary statistics will reveal something new about the data. The objective of these examples is to show the student what various statistics may reveal, or not reveal, about a given data set. (PK)

Problems in current special education categorical research practices are discussed in terms of consistency and reliability, student heterogeneity, and lack of distinct categorical groups. Suggested changes include characteristic-oriented categorization, corresponding changes in dissemination of research findings, and greater specificity and…

Provides tips for collecting and storing information about child care and children. (HOD)

Reviews background of atomic absorption spectrometry techniques. Discusses problems encountered and precautions to be taken in determining trace elements in the parts-per-billion concentration range and below. Concentrates on determining chromium in biological samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption. Considers other elements, matrices, and…

Analyzes data presented in a recent article (EJ 328 649) examining the relationship between A-level physics and mathematics and degree performance in engineering or physics. A grade of A in A-level physics predicted first class degree performance. (JM)

How the ability of competing institutions to attract private support has changed over time is discussed. Data from 1971 to 1982 on Tufts University and 33 other selective colleges and universities was studied. (MLW)

Discusses Ward's analysis of letters sent to the Federal Trade Commission about children's advertising. Advocates that public opinion research concerning consumer protection issues should include information on the degree to which consumers are informed of their fundamental rights with respect to the consumer issues being studied. (CB)

Ethnography provides a means to carry out interpretive science; it offers an alternative research perspective for vocational education and can be used to address questions concerning larger issues in the field. Interpretive science provides the appropriate research paradigm for those research questions studied by an ethnographer. (Author)

Describes skin conductance measurement as a physiological procedure to obtain information on onset, duration, intensity, and completion of private physiological responses to parts of films or media products. The mechanics of the technique, how measurements are recorded and analyzed, and types of skin conductance research literature are discussed.…

A class survey is suggested as a way to stimulate students' interest in applying mathematics to a real-life problem that will require them to collect, organize, and interpret data. How to proceed from selection of topic to using the data to estimate and predict is discussed. (MNS)

Focusing on data-driven educational planning and implementation, this article presents three examples of data analysis used for educational improvement in the Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Public Schools. (MD)

Described is a college course on the use of computers in psychology that included an introduction to computers, computing, word processing, data analysis, data acquisition, artificial intelligence, computer assisted instruction, simulation, and modeling. Students conducted independent research projects using the computer. (Author/RM)