Dealing with missing data is frequently necessary in social sciences research. There are many statistical methods for dealing with missing data. This paper focuses on four of the more basic methods: (1) listwise deletion; (2) pairwise deletion; (3) total mean substitution; and (4) variable mean substitution. Each of the methods is discussed, and…

The correlation coefficient is an integral part of many other statistical techniques (analysis of variance, t-tests, etc.), since all analytic methods are actually correlational (G. V. Glass and K. D. Hopkins, 1984). The correlation coefficient is a statistical summary that represents the degree and direction of relationship between two variables.…

The following article provides a brief primer and overview of multilevel and hierarchical linear modeling. The school-effects model with random effects is illustrated with a heuristic dataset. Finally, recommendations are presented for researchers studying learning disabilities who would like to utilize this methodology.

The computer user has played an active part in uncovering changes brought on with microcomputer technology. Electronic mail (or "E-mail"), which enables users to send and receive messages through bulletin board services ("BBSs"), is often considered one innovation of the computer revolution. A BBS provides opportunities for…

The need for humanistically-oriented research may be viewed as the unfinished business of humanistic psychology. Additional research is needed to support some of the theoretical positions of humanistic psychology which have emerged from clinical practice, education, and management consultation rather than from laboratories and field studies. The…

Individuals often estimate the probability of future events by the ease with which they can recall or cognitively construct relevant instances. Previous research has not precisely identified the cognitive processes mediating this "availability heuristic." Two potential mediators (imagery of the event, perceived reasons or causes for the…

The emerging concept of program theory and its function in program evaluation practice is the central focus of this paper. It appears that the traditional decision/adoption model, when considered in conjunction with the institutionalized beliefs, values, and methodological procedures of the state Cooperative Extension Services, meets the criteria…

Provides a brief introduction to the basics of artificial intelligence and expert systems and explains terms in general use. (CLB)

Defines the engineering method by: (1) giving a preliminary definition and examples of its essential term (heuristics); (2) comparing the definition to a popular alternative; and (3) presenting a simple form of the definition. This definition states that the engineering method is the use of engineering heuristics. (JN)

Discusses factors that interfere with students' effective use of heuristic procedures for invention in composition. (HTH)

The algo-heuristic theory is concerned with identifying unobservable cognitive processes and their unconscious component cognitive operations, including learning how to describe them algorithmically and heuristically, and how to devise specific instructional tools (algorithmic and heuristic) to develop cognitive processes much faster. (BW)

This paper outlines two types of discriminant analysis, predictive discriminant analysis (PDA) and descriptive discriminant analysis (DDA). Important differences between PDA and DDA are introduced and discussed using a heuristic data set, specifically indicating the portions of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) output relevant…

This paper considers the use of heuristic methodology as a research vehicle for new science investigations in education. The paper describes heuristic methodology and its use as a means of new science-based research in schools. It also describes how heuristic methodology was used in a 2002 study to explain educational practices through the…

Discusses algorithmic problem solving in computer science education, particularly algorithmic insight, and focuses on the relevance and effectiveness of the heuristic simplifying constraints which involves simplification of a given problem to a problem in which constraints are imposed on the input data. Presents three examples involving…

Discussion of Web linking behavior and how to define a Web document focuses on a study of United Kingdom university Web sites that investigated the association between research productivity of the university and the number of incoming links from its peers' Web sites. Defines three alternative heuristics for counting links. (LRW)