The authors use examples to illustrate how the design of a study conveys the overall strategy and soundness of the investigation. Elements of research design that are discussed include setting, subjects, sample, treatment, measurement, and communication of results. (CT)

A simple example is presented that illustrates advantages of Bayesian and likelihood methods of inference relative to sampling distribution methods of inference. It is argued that Bayesian and likelihood methods of inference should be utilized more generally to analyze real data. (Author/CTM)

Proposed a new nonlinear structural equation model with fixed covariates to deal with some complicated substantive theory and developed a Bayesian path sampling procedure for model comparison. Illustrated the approach with an illustrative example using data from an international study. (SLD)

Explores whether sampling is better than head count for census taking and if there is a genuine undercount distinct from "floating" populations. Discusses whether the census should accommodate the various interests who have addressed the question of the quality of enumeration, as well as the larger responsibilities of demographers for…

Discusses the pros and cons of sampling to improve the census versus the traditional methods of census taking, and the problems that changes in procedure can create. Also discusses chronic problems in census taking, regardless of procedural methods used, and observations on how to lessen their impact. (GR)

The aims and methods of the National Center for Postsecondary Governance and Finance research team that has been studying institutional leadership are described. (Author/MLW)

Addresses issue of range enhancement effects on correlations, asserting that, while adding to or deleting from sample can affect variance and correlation in sample, increases or decreases in individual differences in intact sample resulting from such factors as history, maturation, training, and experience will not necessarily affect correlations.…

A method is presented for approximating the amount of bias in estimators with complex sampling distributions that are influenced by a variety of properties. The model is illustrated in the contexts of the bootstrap method and redundancy analysis. (SLD)

Compares 20 sets each of samples of four different sizes using simple random, constructed week, and consecutive day samples of newspaper content. Compares sample efficiency, and shows the superiority of constructed week sampling. (SR)

Several new multiple comparison procedures are discussed in terms of their applicability to the problem of generating confidence intervals based on range null hypotheses to control the familywise Type 1 error in multiple sample experiments. These procedures seem fairly robust to violations of normality and homogeneity assumptions. (SLD)

Describes MINSIZE, an MS-DOS computer program that permits the user to determine the minimum sample size needed for the results of a given analysis to be statistically significant. Program applications for statistical significance tests are presented and illustrated. (SLD)

Compares the costs and effectiveness of different recruitment strategies when a large and racially representative sample is needed, but specific requirements limit eligibility. Discusses common methods of social research recruitment, and evaluates five nonprobability sampling strategies. Discusses sample development when stratification is…

Illustrates that sampling variance can be very large when a three-wave quasi simplex model is used to obtain reliability estimates. Also shows that, for the reliability parameter to be identified, the model assumes a Markov process. These problems are evaluated with both real and Monte Carlo data. (SLD)

Presents an integrated mathematics and science activity in which students explore the concept of sampling on a soccer field. (ASK)

Effects of sample size and composition are systematically examined on the replicability of principal components, using observer ratings of personality from the California Adult Q-Set for 192 series of principal components analyses. Results indicate that dimensionality cannot be inferred from component robustness; they are empirically and logically…