Independent study is encouraged at Metropolitan State University, a nontraditional upper-divisional university for adult students. At Metropolitan, independent study refers to a range of learning experiences varying in independence from faculty-designed and -selected programmed learning to completely student-designed projects reviewed and…

A study investigated the effect of the hiring process as a quality control measure in relation to the academic aptitude of classroom teachers. American College Test (ACT) scores of teachers in Kansas were analyzed to determine if employment of teachers took into consideration ACT scores. There was no significant difference in ACT scores of…

Rules and guidelines are provided governing the selection of documents and journal articles to be included in the ERIC database. Selection criteria are described under the five headings: (1) Appropriateness of content/subject matter; (2) Suitability of format, medium, document type; (3) Quality of content; (4) Legibility and reproducibility; (5)…

If open learning programs are to become accepted, they must be successfully evaluated according to the traditional standards of cost effectiveness and compatibility with revered educational practices. Currently, open programs are being discouraged by tight funding and by a reemphasis of basic skills and career preparation. The goals of open…

"Outlook" publications focus on areas of science and technology in which research can be valuable to industry, government, and society as a whole. This issue deals with the problems of air pullution and air quality control. The first of six essays,". . . This Most Excellent Canopy, the Air," prognosticates the surge in atmospheric pollution and…

This book is intended to serve as a useful guide and directory to the present industries embracing the field of environmental control, with emphasis on the prevention and abatement of pollution in its broadest aspects. The volume is divided into two sections: the first section is an alphabetical listing of approximately 1,500 companies or company…

This article challenges the value of the Carnegie Unit and proposes an alternative. The basic orientation for both the challenge and alternative is derived from the concept of "quality control." (Editor)

Factors to be considered in selecting children's films are discussed, and guidelines are provided for film evaluation and for the establishment of film programs in libraries. Some examples of multimedia theme programs combining stories with films are given. (MBR)

Although the primary advantage of having an in-plant audiovisual production unit is having creative and technical personnel on hand when you most need them, experience shows that such a unit can also provide real benefits to the company both in terms of higher quality and lower costs. (VT)

The authors recommend that a national system of accreditation be formulated to ensure quality control and professional integrity for doctoral programs in adult education. They present evidence from two recent surveys of doctoral programs that indicate a move toward the doctor of philosophy degree and little uniformity in curricula. (CH)

Reports research which used 18,814 performance records to generate error statisitics using the Mixed Standard Scale evaluation format. Reduction of system error rates following revision guided by statistical analysis is a clear indication that the quality control features of this format are useful in the management of performance evaluation…

The first of two articles presents basic selection criteria for desktop publishing software packages, including discussion of expectations, required equipment, training costs, publication size, desired software features, additional equipment needed, and quality control. The second provides a brief description of desktop publishing using the Apple…

Focusing on micrographics, this article discusses the role of the Association for Information and Image Management (AIIM) in the development and sponsorship of standards applicable to libraries. Standards relating to microformats, assessment of microform quality, and truly "archival" conditions are examined. A list of current AIIM…

Argues that the decline in the competitiveness of American industries arises from a failure to innovate in quality management rather than from a decline in product quality. Discusses the superiority of the U.S. in generating technological innovations and its lag in the commercialization of the fruits of that technology. (HB)

The author of "In Search of Excellence" states that the two most important characteristics of excellence are focusing on customers and providing superior quality and service. (MD)