In examining considerations in determining sample sizes for factor analyses, attention was given to the effects of outliers; the standard error of correlations, and their effect on factor structure; sample heterogeneity; and the misuse of rules of thumb for sample sizes. (Author)

Provides an overview of a longitudinal, prospective, multivariate adoption study of behavioral development and discusses the results of analyses of cognitive measures and environmental assessments as examples of the types of information that can emerge from a design of this sort. (Author/RH)

The ability for high future performance in English, French, Physics, and Mathematics was examined in 13-year-old students in 11 British comprehensive schools. Among results are that most high performers on 0-level examinations were also nominated by subject teachers as high performers. (Author/MC)

Reviews recent empirical outcome literature on family therapy, with special attention to the link among presenting symptom, assessment of system dynamics, and effective outcome. Offers a research design which links symptom via functional system consequence to family process and to therapy outcome. (Author/WAS)

Discusses research strategy and data collection methods in field studies of unapprehended illegal immigrants living in the United States and suggests ways to increase the reliability and validity of interview responses. Also provides a bibliography of recent field studies of undocumented immigrants. (Author/GC)

The author discusses the selection and use of control groups, particularly in studies evaluating gifted programs. Factors affecting evaluation design decisions are outlined, the control and abuse of control groups is discussed, and some useful data collection design procedures are reviewed. Also considered is the analysis of data from contrast…

Investigates questioning behavior--the generation and formulation of questions--as an observable behavioral act reflecting information needs which proceeds from a series of cognitive processes produced by the "need to know." Statistical and linguistic analyses support the theory that the nature of information need can be discerned…

The desirability of combining tests of theory with evaluations of treatment modalities is argued in an investigation of the effectiveness of a juvenile diversion program. Using a true experimental design (with randomization), recidivism analyses dependent on court record data failed to demonstrate the relative superiority of any of three treatment…

Recent literature reviews have emphasized the weakness and inconsistency of research on school desegregation outcomes. If social science is to have more influence on school desegregation policy, future research will need to work from comprehensive causal models that incorporate the conditions under which desegregation occurs. (Author/LC)

Persons representing the extremes of intelligence cannot be included in the same study unless they are approximately equated on mental age, in which case the relative performances of the extreme groups can provide useful information about the nature of intelligence. (Author/RD)

The problem of productivity in evaluative research is addressed from three perspectives in health education. Two perspectives are scientific, while the third is practical and deals with the implementation of evaluative research. This third perspective is illustrated through an example of a health education program about sexually transmitted…

Examines the design, problems, and applications of a research model in which teachers and researchers combine their efforts toward educational improvement. (RL)

Discusses the importance of occupational program reassessment in resource allocation and program planning. Provides suggestions concerning reassessment planning, goals, and systematic implementation. Recommends a reassessment structure that promotes objectivity. Identifies the areas that should be evaluated, and provides examples of measures of…

Examines the literature on the language of working-class Black children, and emphasizes the need for a new framework for research. Describes research being conducted within such a revised framework (by the Center for Applied Linguistics), which focuses on analysis of stages in acquiring the total Black English system instead of focusing only on…

Further evidence is given on validity in the conventional and retrospective pretest-posttest designs using self-report measures as outcome criteria. Experimental training in Seeing Problems Strategy was effective in improving task performance. The retrospective self-report approach reflected the change. Subjects initially overestimated their…