The observational method particularly recommended for educators who collect data in rural settings is the participant-as-observer identity. Participant observation entails total commitment of the investigator to participate as intimately as possible in the experiences of those being studied. (CM)

Familiarizes educators and researchers with a method to develop curriculum according to the individual cognitive styles of individual students. (Author)

The authors present an informal assessment strategy format to aid teachers in meeting the needs of the handicapped student. The format includes an assessment sequence, how to analyze assessment results, and how to interpret results. (CT)

Illustrates a relatively simple method for measuring market compatibilities of cooperative education programs. The authors demonstrate the index method and explain how it can be used. (CT)

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)

Conducted in Larimer County, Colorado, the study examined where the farmworker population can be found during the agricultural season and whether there will be a demand for their labor in the future. (NQ)

The first of two articles outlines how the director of the physical plant at Monroe County Community College (Michigan) developed a preventive maintenance program. The first step, assembling a set of up-to-date records, is detailed. (MLF)

Counselors are in a good position, especially when working closely with the principal, to collect qualitative research data through participant observation. This method can help bring research and practice closer together. (Author/WD)

A study sought to determine if there was a difference in task analysis data collected by interviews and by mailed questionnaire. The business that was interviewed reported a significantly greater number of tasks as performed by beginning employees when compared to the mailed respondents. (LRA)

How-to information for performing a skills audit is presented. Nine steps need to be performed in three separate phases: establish basic enabling skills data, compile the data, and summarize the data. A skills analysis can aid the training staff in deciding where to concentrate their instructional efforts. (CT)

Examines quantitative and qualitative evaluation and analysis of Washington State Library reference activities, based on research activities of the Consortium for Public Library Innovation. Several methods of data collection for a sample day are discussed, including a user ticket and a patterns of information requests form. (Author)

Program evaluation specialists at the University of Wisconsin-Extension studied the impact of continuing education efforts in a single county over a decade. They then assessed the impact of the findings. (CT)

Discusses the process of conducting a summative evaluation, characteristics of evaluators, and choice of assessment techniques. (SK)

Outlines the procedures used in the creation of the Cooperative Management Information System (CMIS) at Macomb County Community College: determination of information needs, data collection, and information storage and manipulation. Discusses the use of CMIS in assessing program effectiveness. (SK)

Problems of research and data collection in the West Indies include that territories without campuses are smaller and poorer, generally have no indigenous social science personnel so that research has to be undertaken by people unfamiliar with the environment, and that responses to interviews tend to be particularly unreliable because people are…