This introduction to the theory and application of multivariate analysis is designed to assist institutional researchers who are interested in using these techniques to analyze issues within their respective institutions. A brief introduction to multivariate theory, consisting of a rationale for multivariate statistics and an overview of selected…

The use of data on longitudinal student attendance patterns to determine variances, and hence confidence bounds, on student enrollment forecasts, in addition to finding the forecasts themselves, is demonstrated. The formulation of the enrollment model based on longitudinal student attendance patterns is described step by step, presenting the…

A system of interaction analysis, the Hit-Steer Observation System, was used to characterize interaction patterns of groups of teachers and principals. Evidence for an asymmetrically contingent pattern of interaction between the principals and teachers was provided by findings that principals made more verbalizations than teachers, as well as more…

The variety of searchable and printable formats of Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) data base records has led to different searching methods, which have fostered the confusing state of affairs wherein different results are possible for the same search; this 5-part report describes an investigation of ERIC online use that studied the…

Approaches to educational research are grouped into five major categories. The process-product approach correlates teacher behavior with student achievement. Aptitude-treatment-interaction researchers believe that their research will identify instructional methods that are particularly suitable for students with specific aptitudes. Researchers in…

This manual introduces undergraduate students in political science to major types of data and methods for cross-national quantitative analysis. The manual's topic, Conditions for Effective Democracy, was chosen because it incorporates several different kinds of data and illustrates various methodological problems. The data are cross-sectional…

Combining community participation in decision making with methods of social investigation, participatory research focuses on involvement of the subjects of the research in the research process. Adult educators are exploring this research method which, unlike quantitative research, serves the needs of individuals and not those of policy makers who…

A reverse causality model treating mass media use for public affairs information as a result rather than as a cause of political behavior was tested utilizing surveys of 190 Mexican-American, 176 black, and 225 white adults. The criterion variable used in each sample was frequency of television and newspaper use for public affairs information. The…

To relate scientific evidence with subjective interpretations relevant to the construction and appreciation of visual images, this paper reviews the literature pertinent to the processes involving the perception of visual images, the distinct functions of the left and right hemispheres of the human brain in recording and interpreting visual data,…

A mail questionnaire was sent to the 64-member teaching staff of the Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive High School, in order to determine their preferences for school media services. A related area of interest in the investigation was the determination of the relationship between teacher characteristics (e.g., sex, age, subject area taught,…

The main thrust of this paper deals with the construction of a Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) designed to implement multicultural curricula into four-year teacher education programs, in order to promote cultural awareness and an unbiased attitude towards learners. The most prominent mechanism of the technique is the opportunity it…

The paper describes an individualized approach to teaching social science research methodology. The approach is intended to make psychology research in college level courses an exciting and rewarding experience for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Advantages of this approach over more traditional approaches include that it requires…

Comprehension monitoring was investigated by asking college students to read and recall passages that contained intentionally introduced confusions (inconsistent information, unclear references, and inappropriate logical connectives). Subjects were then told that confusions had been present and were asked to describe them and comment on how they…

Use of client records and census data as a research methodology can provide mental health planners with information on community needs as well as the adequacy of existing programs. Three ways of analyzing client records in conjunction with census data are: (1) tract by tract, comparing client geographic distribution with census characteristics;…

At Abington High Schools' North Campus, Abington, Pennsylvania, beginning French and Spanish students were grouped according to ability after the first marking period in an effort to meet their individual needs. A summary of the project shows that the grades of ability-grouped students tended to improve and that there is no clear correspondence…