Evaluation audiences can understand evaluation reports if the reports are written in common language, use proper organization, and incorporate information which provides the audience with a context for understanding the report. Suggestions about how this can be achieved are offered. (Author/RL)

The authors outline three broad strategies for combining different types of information in a review: quantifying descriptive reports, presenting quantitative outcomes narratively, and allying statistical and descriptive evidence while maintaining the integrity of each. They discuss six ways in which qualitative information is essential to the…

Studied the reporting preferences of editorial board members of four scholarly journals in education and psychology with regard to analytic practices in the fifth edition of the American Psychological Association "Publication Manual." Responses of 106 board members show the movement toward reform in research reporting practices. (SLD)

Introduces this volume on homeless children by briefly describing each of the eight chapters. Notes that the chapters represent an interdisciplinary approach to understanding homeless children and the issues surrounding homelessness. (PCB)

A survey that is designed to identify journals that publish evaluation research is presented. Information is provided on general circulation, submission and rejection of manuscripts, types of research most frequently published, and emerging trends in evaluation research. A list of 80 journals responding to the survey is appended. (TJH)

Ethical dilemmas surrounding research in which the efficacy of various coaching strategies designed to outsmart validity scales are discussed in the context of competing demands between the requirement of the ethical principles of the American Psychological Association and the need to give detailed descriptions of research procedures in scientific…

Explains and illustrates important differences between writing a thesis or dissertation and writing a research report for publication in a professional journal. Discusses how to speed up the review process and encourage acceptance of the manuscript. (JOW)

This bibliography lists 50 doctoral dissertations concerned with deafness and completed during 1999. Usually provided are dissertation title, author, institution, pages, and order number. Doctoral dissertations available from Gallaudet University library are listed separately. (DB)

Makes the case for, and demonstrates the use of, poetic transcription as a form of presenting evaluation findings. Taking language from focus group interviews, the evaluator constructed a poem intended to provoke readers into a process of reflection meaning making about the program being evaluated, the method by which the representation was…

Examined the frequency of use of various types of reliability coefficients for a sample of 696 tests in a directory published by the American Psychological Association. Coefficient alpha was the overwhelming favorite, and several measures treated almost universally in textbooks were rarely or never used. Identifies problems encountered in the…

In this activity, students mix mystery chemicals in a freezer bag to produce reactions that are unexpected. As a result, one chemical seems to disappear, the bag expands, and then the bag turns hot and cold. Participants then ask questions and design their own activities to answer their self-generated questions. The research cycle continues until…

This paper reports on the implementation of the Special Education Reimbursement ("Circuit Breaker") Program. Fiscal Year 2007 is the fourth year implementing the Circuit Breaker reimbursement program which provides additional state support for students with disabilities. School districts are eligible for a reimbursement of eligible costs…

This "Research Update" explores two major themes: (1) Using evaluation to shape program improvement and planning; and (2) Out-of-school time benefits to older youth and their families. Themes were culled from 13 research and evaluation reports added to the Out-of-School Time (OST) Program Research and Evaluation Bibliography in September 2008.…

The Idaho Math Initiative has been developed to help raise student achievement in mathematics across all K-12 grades, focusing on three main areas: teacher education, student achievement, and public awareness. This report describes the initial phase of the Math Initiative, including: (1) Assessment; (2) Intervention; (3) Standards; (4) Curriculum;…