Post-hoc blocking and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) both employ a concomitant variable to increase statistical power relative to the completely randomized design. It is argued that the advantages attributed to the block design are not always valid and that there are circumstances when the ANCOVA would be preferred to post-hoc blocking.…

To test the use of Bayes's theorem to adjust for nonresponse bias, 600 hospitals were used in a simulated sample survey. On the basis of known information on five variables, Bayes's formula correctly predicted the status of 92 of the 100 "nonrespondents" relative to a sixth variable. (Author/BW)

Criticizes Roger Perry's article about research on alternative schools for failing to define terms explicitly and failing to adequately describe the types of alternatives he was discussing. Holds that Perry's article only adds more confusion to educational theory and gives a picture of hopelessness about the viability of alternative schools.…

The author considers the need for and the problems involved with research into educational futures, emphasizing that such a task demands detailed values-inquiry. He therefore suggests that educational philosophers begin to tackle problems at the classroom level and in cooperation with empirical researchers. (Author/SJL)

Presents a general description of curriculum studies made in the sociology of education and comparative education in the past decade. Discusses structural/functional studies, studies in the "new" sociology of education, and ethnomethodological studies. Argues that ethnomethodology provides the most heuristic approach to curriculum…

Considers evidence on the criteria and characteristics of critical period phenomena with respect to endogenous and exogenous influences. Describes and evaluates methodology of critical period research and discusses past attempts at subclassification of the field and "recovery of function" as a refutation of the critical period…

Points out the problems in designing and evaluating research on writing courses. (JL)

Points out that teaching writing with a process style and conducting in-class research may be inherently incompatible activities. (JL)

Professional evaluators are often called upon to analyze data produced by a catastrophically inadequate evaluation design. A remedial strategy involving diagnosis of error, application of a corrective procedure and sensitization of program personnel of the need for a more sophisticated stance, is proposed and illustrated with a case study.…

Compares the relationship between theoretical synthesis and historical research in light of research by Max Weber, Talcott Parsons, and Alfred Schutz. Traces theoretical developments within one subfield of sociology (action theory) and relates these developments to research problems confronting contemporary theoretical work in sociology. (DB)

This paper analyzes the concept of research in education and relates that analysis to the Scottish situation. Some of the areas of neglect are identified and explanations of a "political" kind are offered for the present unsatisfactory state of affairs. (Author/KC)

New data on retest reliabilities for three parental questionnaires, designed to measure children's temperaments at six months and at one and two years of age, were obtained with independent samples. The results showed a general level of retest reliability which was comparable to that of most temperament studies. (Author/RH)

Manipulated two aspects of the general empathy training situation in an attempt to produce higher levels of "empathic responding" following a brief training program. Results showed the experimental manipulations increased more empathic responses in the group asked to display competence than in the group asked to learn "empathic responding."…

Discusses problems with the use of stochastic (probabilistic) models for the analysis of juvenile offense data. Analyzes longitudinal data for White and non-White delinquents which show significant evidence of offense specialization and a random distribution of offenses if no specialization occurs. (Author/GC)

Investigates the extent of differences among survey results obtained as responses to an initial letter, a second letter, and a third contact by telephone or handwritten letter. There were considerable differences among the results from the three different contacts, with the later respondents being more negative in their answers. (CT)