Discusses the ARL (Association of Research Libraries) E-Metrics project that is investigating problems related to collecting and using data for electronic materials and services. Describes a survey of libraries that focused on data collection activities and showed a lack of preparation as well as a lack of consistent statistics from database…

Summarizes National Longitudinal Survey data used by economists, sociologists, and other researchers to examine such policy issues as employment and earnings; educational experience, achievement, and the transition from school to work; training programs; geographic mobility; relationships between the workplace and the well-being of the family;…

National Mathematics Survey briefly explains multilevel models, examining their power and flexibility as analytical tools. Provides examples of two applied models studying school and pupil variables: (1) data analysis from a National Mathematics Survey (England, Wales, Northern Ireland); and (2) data analysis of pupil attitudes using Hierarchical…

Surveys efforts to assess rates of return to education in developing countries. Compares estimates based on regression techniques to those produced by direct measurement. Discusses noneconomic effects of education on health and fertility. Examines the links among education, economic growth, and fertility, using a simulation model of overlapping…

Presents a study conducted to provide a comparative analysis of five item analysis indices using both IRT and non-IRT indices to describe the characteristics of flagged items and to investigate the appropriateness of logistic regression as an item analysis technique for further studies. The performance of five item analysis indices was examined.…

Describes the use of a microcomputer-based authoring system to facilitate student-centered discovery oriented learning in an undergraduate social science course. Use of the authoring system to implement student-generated experiments, to become familiar with statistics and experimental methods, and to promote empirical thinking is discussed. (14…

Describes a computerized decision support system based on circulation data that was developed to assist the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library in materials acquisition budgeting and other library management decision making. The budget allocation model is explained, and implementation and testing of the decision support system is described.…

Whether the external validity of the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC) was moderated by age, sex, or race was studied using 1,333 children and adolescents referred for mental health services. Race and sex generally did not moderate the relation of PIC scales to symptom checklists. Some relationships were age modified. (SLD)

Effects of dimensionality on ability estimation of an adaptive test were examined using generated data in Bayesian computerized adaptive testing (CAT) simulations. Generally, increasing interdimensional difficulty association produced a slight decrease in test length and an increase in accuracy of ability estimation as assessed by root mean square…

The relationship between adolescent loneliness and factors associated with adult loneliness (attributional style, self-esteem, social anxiety, and social skills) was investigated for 107 male and 79 female ninth graders completing 7 difference measures. Social skills, self-esteem, and attributional style are significant predictors of loneliness,…

Examines extent that predictor variables commonly used as teacher admission, retention, and certification standards predicted teacher success. Sample included 207 teachers with BA degrees from University of North Carolina teacher education program during 1985-86 through 1989-90 and were currently teaching in North Carolina. Predictor variables…

Discusses how students generate meanings for mathematical word problems, develops a generative predicational model to account for students' comprehension of word problems, and describes an empirical study of Israeli sixth graders that was designed to test the model. Talk aloud protocols of the students are analyzed, and hypotheses tested are…

This guide lists a number of U.S. government publications frequently used as reference tools in libraries and compares them to Canadian government publications that contain similar material and may be used in similar fashion. Some U.S. and Canadian publications with no equivalent in the other country are also indicated. (Author)

Presents five charts that compare data for elementary schools and secondary schools for (1) the average cost of paperback books, (2) the average cost of hardcover books, (3) the average cost of a periodical subscription, and (4) the index of inflation; plus (5) a chart that shows the average cost of hardbound textbooks. (LRW)

The general intelligence factor (g) was investigated using 170 university students across three batteries of ability measures: (1) a short-term memory battery; (2) the Multidimensional Aptitude Battery; and (3) a reaction time battery. Results support the notion of g and suggest short-term memory as an essential aspect of intelligence. (SLD)