If one undertakes naturalistic evaluation without formal training, there are some important considerations and sources of information to keep in mind. Labor intensive qualitative approaches are discussed in terms of field relations, data collection and analysis, and writing. (Author/LMO)

Presents an activities assessment model based on Schumacher's concept of appropriate technology for assessing results of nonformal staff training activities. This model includes identifying training purposes, matching needs to capability levels, choosing source persons to judge student achievement, defining evidence and indicators, generating…

This teacher's guide provides objectives, procedures, and list of materials needed for activities which center around the use of a scatter plot to examine relationships shown by bivariate data. The activities are suitable for grades 7 to 12. Four student worksheets are included. (JN)

Describes the Adjusted Agreement Index, a strategy for analyzing collected data from questionnaires utilizing Likert-type scales. Steps involved in using this index and its strengths and weaknesses are outlined, and a case study illustrating how it was used to summarize data on a distance education course package is presented. (MBR)

Department chairpersons of business education departments were asked to rank a list of 18 challenges facing business education by use of a Q-Sort. The most important challenges were seen to be updating and changing the business education curriculum to meet present and future students' needs and updating and developing the skills and knowledge of…

Presents analysis of online search patterns within user searching sessions of National Library of Medicine ELHILL system and examines user search patterns on the CATLINE database. Data previously analyzed on MEDLINE database for same period is used to compare the performance parameters of different databases within the same information system.…

Discusses several ways in which computers are being used in sociology and how they continue to change this discipline. Areas considered include data collection, data analysis, simulations of social processes based on mathematical models, and problem areas (including standardization concerns, training, and the financing of computing facilities).…

This paper explains how to combine probabilities from discrete distributions, such as probability distributions for nonparametric tests. (Author/BW)

A communication theory paradigm typically is used to investigate the relationship between evaluation information and utilization: "Who says what, how, to whom, with what effects?" This study investigates the "how," or medium of presentation, aspect of the paradigm. (Author/LMO)

An accurate needs assessment process is essential in designing effective career development systems. This model helps to guarantee a high-quality needs assessment. It provides a basis for conceptualizing an ideal system for a particular organization, for describing what currently exists, and for identifying gaps between the real and the ideal. (CT)

Changes in the composition of colleges and universities during the 1970s and the changes in the subpopulation of institutions with a high commitment to liberal arts education were studied. The effect these changes had on the diversity of the population and subpopulation is described. (MLW)

Used data from nutrient intake recall divided according to body weight to demonstrate how variance in measurement may lead to incorrect conclusions in evaluation of nutrition education. Demonstrates need for incorporating methods of minimizing effects of measurement error, advocating random assignment to groups or statistical control if random…

The effect that scores on a career-maturity scale and college experience have on the change of major status of four groups of college students was examined. The dependent variable was academic success measured by cumulative grade point average over a two-year period and change of major status. (MLW)

Graduate students individually examined 34 photographs for an investigation of commonly perceived underlying visual dimensions. Similarity judgements between photographs were used for multidimensional scaling; subject interview data were used to describe meaningful visual concepts. Results indicate that pictures were grouped in clusters along…

Commenting on Dobbert et al's article in this issue, argues that the best data on the transmission of culture can be obtained by combining a variety of methods, focusing on one domain and on a limited set of hypotheses at a time. Believes that, ideally, collaborative studies are required. (RDN)