Many studies examining health service utilization by older adults involve secondary analyses of existing data sources and rely on behavioral model of health services utilization. Suggests that severe shortcomings in breadth and depth of available data, and numbers of intervals at which data have been recorded, limit understanding of health…

This poem, with stanzas in limerick form, refers humorously to the many threats to validity posed by problems in research design, including problems of sample selection, data collection, and data analysis. (SLD)

Arguments supporting the use of the exploratory case method in evaluating reviews of multivocal literature are repeated, and points of general agreement with M. Q. Patton and R. F. Elmore are reviewed. Disagreement is expressed with R. K. Yin about the value of grounded theory in analyzing multivocal literature. (SLD)

The concerns about the use of a modified scree test in analyzing data from Delphi surveys may not be important if the scree test data are weighted. Factors important to the study can be incorporated into the test, and the ordinate on the graph can be labeled accordingly. (SLD)

Examines current practices in mass communication research with respect to message experiment design, analysis, and interference. Provides a logically consistent framework for mass communication researchers to make experimental design and data analysis decisions. (PRA)

Because of the importance of single-subject studies in mental retardation research, a meta-analysis of the literature examining interrater agreement for visual analysis of single-subject data was conducted. Analysis revealed an overall itinerant agreement value of 0.58 for 14 studies representing 789 raters. Effects of data type, design type,…

Time-series analysis of association between social indicators and suicide and homicide rates in United States from 1945 to 1984 and ecological analysis of same variables over continental states revealed that only divorce rates were consistently associated with suicide and with homicide rates (positively with both). (Author)

Describes a marketing plan to increase enrollment in summer camps. Includes analyzing enrollment statistics, implementing marketing strategies that focus on retaining current campers, establishing a ranking system to concentrate efforts on inquiries most likely to enroll, and analyzing the effectiveness of marketing strategies. (LP)

Describes an investigation that focuses on comparing data sets by using data on 37 brands of peanut butter and their quality ratings. (ASK)

Outlines concerns that must be addressed by those who advocate replacing statistical hypothesis-testing with alternative data-analysis strategies. Suggests that commonly recommended alternatives are not perfect and that various hypothesis-testing modifications can be implemented to make the process and its conclusions more credible. Hypothesis…

Examined cognitive complexities when graphs were used in lectures by observing 39 lectures, 36 seminars in which students solved problems, and 14 sessions of scientists interpreting graphs. Findings show that lectures present a scanty image of the use and interpretation of graphs. Discusses the analytic method, which relies on semiotics and…

This study began validation of the Family Profile Form, constructed to link evaluation of couples and families with specific structured enrichment exercises. Reliability and validity with different samples of participants were found to be within acceptable limits of statistical significance. (Author/MKA)

Suggests two complementary frameworks for providing validity evidence for rating data. One conceptualizes raters as data collection instruments that should be subject to traditional procedures for establishing validity evidence; the other evaluates studies using raters from an experimental design perspective allowing the assessment of the study's…

Vacc, Loesch, and Gilbert (1997) argued that mental-health counselors do not require training in the treatment of mentally disordered clients for the majority of their work. This article argues that the authors' conclusion is not supported by the research evidence. Discusses reasons why mental-health counselors should receive training. (Author/MKA)

Critiques the conceptual framework of "The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life." Concludes evidence is grounded in the classical tradition, which may be the case for some of their data, but conclusions and policy recommendations are based on assumptions and not grounded in data. Discusses limitations of scientific…