Analyzes metropolitan characteristics which are hypothesized to be related to the prevalence of six kinds of voluntary organizations in 93 standard metropolitan sampling areas (SMSAs). Concludes that the socioeconomic status level of an SMSA is significantly related only to the prevalence of associations serving high status occupational groups.…

This paper attempts to clarify some of the changes that have taken place in developmental psychology between 1962 and 1975. Journal references in all articles in six journals devoted primarily to research in developmental psychology were tabulated. Patterns of references to developmental and to nondevelopmental journals are analyzed and discussed.…

This paper suggests a variety of practical strategies which can be used in qualitative analysis of participant observation programs. (JR)

Research studies are analyzed to determine what factors influence parents' positive evaluations of schools. (GW)

This paper is an examination, both theoretical and empirical, of three measures of desegregation (the dissimilarity index, the segregation index and the information theory index) with the empirical focus on school desegregation. (Author)

Problems associated with the analysis and interpretation of aggregated data in school effects research are discussed. The multilevel character of school effects research is described. Data from the IEA Six-Subjects Survey of Science Achievement in Australia are used to illustrate the differences in between-student and between-school models of the…

A report on MUSICOMP 76, "an intensive workshop designed to introduce music historians, theorists, and analysts to computer techniques relevant to their research," is presented. (Author/RW)

Reviews fourteen econometric and forecasting programs for the IBM PC family of computers. The comparison is based on analytical capabilities, cost, operating characteristics, and user-friendliness. Concludes that the programs do not differ enough to provide grounds for rejection of one program in favor of another. Includes names and addresses for…

This article responds to the "Standards for Evaluation of Educational Programs, Projects and Materials" by addressing three issues in qualitative research: (1) data quality; (2) data verification; and (3) collusion between evaluators and their sponsors. To be of maximum international value, the standards report needs more emphasis on…

Discusses analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), a standard tool for data analysis in psychological research. Considers the two major ways in which psychologists have used the technique: for increasing the precision of estimation in randomized experiments and for seeking to remove bias in nonrandomized studies, comparing ANCOVA with analytic…

Interaction data from 96 married couples in which the husband was an alcoholic, depressive, or normal control were coded with Marital Interaction Coding System and subjected to multidimensional scaling, principle components analysis, and transitional probability analyses. Resulting solutions indicated several clusters common across methods and…

The author proposes using an action research model to diagnose, develop, implement, and evaluate a career development (CD) program that fits the needs and goals of the organization. Phases of a CD program development plan (data gathering, analysis and synthesis, feedback, program development, pilot implementation, and tracking) are examined. (CT)

This paper examines the major methodological advantages of random assignment for the purpose of estimating the effectiveness of current manpower policy. It also reviews the claimed methodological and ethical objections to experiments. The authors argue that the offsetting gain from experimentation is the inherent reliability of experimental…

Presents a research methodology related to needs assessment that can be used in a variety of settings in vocational education. It involves the use of small-group sessions and has five steps: introduction to meeting, silent generation of ideas, round-robin listing, discussion for clarification, and ranking of items. (Author/CT)

Concludes that for most researchers trained in classical statistics, the use of the Bayesian approach requires substantial retooling. Observes that the technical details of the Bayesian approach are formidable, and will require studying textbooks, applications, and computer packages, as well as consulting colleagues. (Author/JDH)