A meta-analysis of 29 separate studies investigating pretest effects was conducted. Outcomes of the studies (achievement gains or attitude improvements) were computed as standardized differences between pretested and non-pretested groups. Eleven other variables were coded for each outcome. Initial descriptive statistics were indicative of…

In an attempt to improve Head Start evaluations, several methodological techniques are proposed. Since programs vary in approach, evaluations must be made on the success of the individual programs. Formulation of research questions should provide information as to the process and outcome of the program. To avoid experimenter bias, experimenters…

A compensatory language program was administered to 13 children, considered, for the most part, as culturally disadvantaged and linguistically deficient. These 13 children comprised the experimental group, while 12 other children were used as a control group. The ages of the children ranged from 3 years, 3 months to 5 years, 10 months. The average…

The objective of this project was to investigate the adequacy of statistical models developed by G. E. P. Box and G. C. Tiao for the analysis of time-series quasi-experiments: (1) The basic model developed by Box and Tiao is applied to actual time-series experiment data from two separate experiments, one in psychology and one in educational…

Project Apex, an expeimental elective English curriculum at Trenton (Michigan) High School, is evaluated. The evaluation compares the Trenton program with those of two control schools of fairly similar size and located in communities of approximately the same social and economic backgrounds. The evaluation procedure consists of various achievement…

This study was undertaken to compare the effectiveness of two basic approaches to the training of auditory discrimination and to assess the effect of training upon language functioning and acquisition. Subjects were 42 culturally deprived Negro preschoolers. A receptive training group, an expressive training group, and a control group were used.…

A program was devised and presented to four classes of college freshmen who demonstrated a need for remedial English instruction. An experiment to ascertain relative merit of programmed and conventional classroom presentation was conducted. The program was divided into phonetic spelling, basic word usage, effective sentence construction, and basic…

This is one of a series of eight short monographs intended to aid practicing educators in planning and conducting accountability programs in schools. This booklet discusses how to develop an experimental design appropriate to the objectives of a particular research or evaluation effort. Short sections focus in turn on the characteristics of a good…

Univariate and multivariate assessment of general achievement/aptitude indicated general achievement/aptitude is significantly delineated: by race and GPA for the population, nonexperimental freshmen, and experimental and/or control freshmen; by financial aid and attrition/persistence for the population and nonexperimental freshmen; and by…

Investigating the effect of sentence-combining practice on the syntactic maturity of written compositions and on reading comprehension, this study involved assignment of seventh grade students to control and experimental groups. Analysis was based on the experimental group's completion of 26 sentence-combining problems (O'Hare's format with some…

Investigating the attitudinal effects of a college course on a class of senior education majors, this study involved an experimental group which attended the regular class supplemented by a field centered experience and a control group which only engaged in the regular class. (JC)

Develops generalizations for empirical evaluation of software based upon suitability of several research designs--pretest posttest control group, single-group pretest posttest, nonequivalent control group, time series, and regression discontinuity--to type of software being evaluated, and on circumstances under which evaluation is conducted. (MBR)

The problem is the perceived academic shortcomings of America's public schools because of high stakes testing that is expected to increase along with limited funds and resources. The purpose of this study was to find the benefits of the extracurricular activity that students are already participating in at Paramount High School. This is a…

This experimental, statistical study investigated the effects that the testing of grammar and writing mechanics would have on the overall quality and reduction of errors in college students' essays for freshman composition. In the experimental group of 42 students, the professor assigned several exercises in grammar and mechanics as a review…

The purpose of this study is to develop a model showing the relationship of academic, socioeconomic, and motivational variables to students' attrition in a community college nursing program, in order to determine the students who pass, or not pass, first semester, generic, and associate degree nursing courses. The theoretical framework used in the…