Serial Evaluation Activities (SEAs) are series' of focused evaluational studies, each dealing with a well-defined "component unit" within a complex project. Strategies for enhancing timeliness in SEAs include a comprehensive conceptual framework, a permanent institutional setting, a prearranged sample plan, utilization of item banks, and…

Describes a study examing 34 introductory psychological statistics texts for their usage and definitions of the terms "random sample" and "simple random sampling." Results showed a high percentage of conceptual errors. (CK)

When the basic unit being studied is a grouping of individuals, both students and items can be sampled. When this method is applied to the use of log sheets to measure fidelity of program implementation, the normal limitations of self-reporting are reduced. (BW)

An experimental sampling procedure for communities on which coal had been surface-mined yielded missing cells and caused the number of degrees of freedom to be N instead of the usual N minus one. The apparent discrepancy is explained, and a solution to the problem is presented. (Author/JKS)

A study of the reported sampling methods and respondent/subject characteristics in 297 published communication research studies suggests that the vast majority of published communication research literature does not meet minimal scholarly standards for reporting research results. (GT)

Paired-samples experimental designs are appropriate and widely used when there is a natural correspondence or pairing of scores. However, researchers must not fail to consider the implications of undetected correlation between supposedly independent samples in the absence of explicit pairing. (SLD)

Studied whether the theoretical sampling distribution of the U3 person-fit statistic is in agreement with the simulated sampling distribution under different item response theory models and varying item and test characteristics. Simulation results suggest that the use of standard normal deviates for the standardized version of the U3 statistic may…

Articles on equating test forms in this issue are reviewed and discussed. The results of these papers collectively indicate that matching on the anchor test does not result in more accurate equating. Implications for research are discussed. (SLD)

The articles in this issue that address the effect of matching samples on ability are reviewed. In spite of these examinations of equating methods and sampling plans, it is still hard to determine a definitive answer to the question of to match or not to match. Implications are discussed. (SLD)

This investigation compared the effects of single word and connected speech sampling conditions on the production of consonant clusters in 40 children (ages 3-5) with speech sound impairments. Differences between the sampling conditions were apparent for 3 of the 8 phonological processes studied and 1 of 12 phonetic variations. (Author/DB)

Presents results of a study of book deterioration and loss based on a random sample of monographs from Ohio libraries published between 1851-1939, and discusses national preservation efforts such as microfilming. Tables show the sample's (1,935 volumes) physical condition, and the sample's (872 titles) physical condition and availability. (JMV)

Three problems with stepwise research methods are explored. Computer packages may use incorrect degrees of freedom in stepwise computations. In addition, stepwise methods do not identify correctly the best variable set of a given size. A third problem is that stepwise methods tend to capitalize on sampling error. (SLD)

Notes that family researchers can examine extent of self-selection bias in samples by using range of "plausibly correlated characteristics" such as marriage and divorce public records. Provides extensive case example of analyses and discusses compensation techniques of weighting and hazard rate models. (Author/NB)

Alternative strategies for two-sample cross-validation of covariance structure models are described and investigated. Results of an empirical sampling study show that for tighter strategies simpler models are preferred in smaller samples, but when cross-validation is employed, a more complex model is supported even for small samples. (SLD)

Reviews caregiving literature, focusing on current limitations and future directions for study in areas of sampling and research design. Suggests ways to refine sampling procedures and to more carefully define what caregiver is. Suggests dyadic measurements of caregiver, elder, and family. Notes that, in examining progressive phenomenon such as…