An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) is done to correct for chance differences that occur when subjects are assigned randomly to treatment groups. When properly used, this correction results in adjustment of the group means for pre-existing differences caused by sampling error and reduction of the size of the error variance of the analysis. The…

The Diablo Valley College (California) Research Office assessed the variation of grades in multiple-section courses and its impact on the ability to predict student success. All classes selected for the study were general education offerings applicable for the Associate of Arts degree and/or transfer, and were taught by more than one instructor. A…

A study explored the construct of phonological awareness by examining the effects of different instructional treatments on the development of generalized phonological skills, reading, and spelling. The effect of phonological instruction with kindergarten children who might be expected to have more than average difficulty learning to read in first…

An important issue in educational and employment settings is the degree to which evidence of validity obtained in one situation can be generalized to another situation without further study of validity in the new situation. Theory, procedures, and applications concerning validity generalization are addressed. Meta-analytic techniques make possible…

Selected methods for evaluating the stability of research results empirically are described, especially with regard to multivariate analysis. It is critically important to evaluate the influences of sampling error on obtained results; statistical significance testing does not inform judgment regarding the probable replicability or the sampling…

This paper explores a logistic regression procedure for estimating item parameters in the Rasch model and testing the hypothesis of item parameter invariance across several groups/populations. Rather than using item responses directly, the procedure relies on "pseudo-paired comparisons" (PC) statistics defined over all possible pairs of…

An extensive literature review, a survey of approximately 275 library schools, an employer survey of 2,335 of the estimated 43,600 libraries in the United States, and the development of regression models for forecasting purposes were used to identify the current and future supply of and demand for professional librarians through 1990. The study…

Data from the 1986 Current Population Survey (CPS) and a 1987 survey of public and private enterprises in Orangeburg, South Carolina, provide the basis for estimating a salary schedule for lead teachers in Orangeburg School District 5. The underlying rationale for the development of lead teacher positions is described in terms of salary gaps…

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of different ways of coping on caregivers' physical health and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Sixty persons living with and caring for a spouse with Alzheimer's disease (n=58) or multi-infarct dementia (n=2) were interviewed and evaluated by a series of instruments. Independent variables…

The Bootstrap method, a computer-intensive statistical method of estimation, is illustrated using a simple and efficient Statistical Analysis System (SAS) routine. The utility of the method for generating unknown parameters, including standard errors for simple statistics, regression coefficients, discriminant function coefficients, and factor…

Three Autoregressive Integrated Moving Averages (ARIMA) forecast procedures for Census Bureau X-11 concurrent seasonal adjustment were empirically tested. Forty time series from three Census Bureau economic divisions (business, construction, and industry) were analyzed. Forecasts were obtained from fitted seasonal ARIMA models augmented with…

The Exstatix statistical analysis software package by K. C. Killion for use with Macintosh computers is evaluated. In evaluating the package, the framework developed by C. J. Ansorge et al. (1986) was used. This framework encompasses features such as transportability of files, compatibility of files with other Macintosh software, and ability to…

In research, data sets often occur in which the variance of the distribution of the dependent variable at given levels of the predictors is a function of the values of the predictors. In this situation, the use of weighted least-squares (WLS) or techniques is required. Weights suitable for use in a WLS regression analysis must be estimated. A…

The term "ipsative" refers to measurement based on intra-individual comparisons. The research literature in the social sciences contains many cautions about using ipsative data in multivariate analysis. The purpose of this paper is to identify the problems associated with the multivariate and regression analyses of ipsative data and to…

A total of 33 kindergarten children and 33 third grade students were shown videotapes of children in commonly distressing situations, in order to elicit affective and cognitive responses. The children indicated how the stories made them feel (empathy), why the story characters felt as they did (perspective taking), their desire for the characters…