Examined difficulties Finnish university students experienced in learning quantitative methods. Education and sociology students rated different topics on the basis of their difficulty. Overall, students considered statistics and quantitative methods more difficult than other domains. They tended to polarize academic subjects into…

Examines how medical writers discuss matters they believe to be true, possible, and untrue, drawing on research papers from medical journals. To conclude, a discussion of teaching difficult concepts in medical reading and writing is presented. (80 references) (Author/CK)

This article summarizes mental retardation/developmental disabilities (MR/DD) spending since 1977, with emphasis on spending from 1995-2000. The change in state economic conditions, from strong growth in recent years to fiscal constraints in 2002, is addressed. Tables provide data trends in MR spending by type of placement and state and changes in…

This article presents the findings of the most comprehensive Canadian survey on disabilities, the 1986 postcensus Health and Activity Limitation Survey, which analyzed data on blindness and visual impairment. New information on prevalence rates, age at onset, cause of visual loss, and severity of visual impairment is presented. (Author/DB)

Provides a conceptual basis for understanding factor analysis as an analytical technique. Illustrates the basic concepts of factor analysis through Edward L. Rainbow's data from a study of variables influencing students' musical aptitude. Suggests that this technique is most appropriate in music applications where the interrelationships between…

Discusses the status of a pilot project undertaken by the ERIC facility to provide access to education-related statistical tapes. Procedures developed for the identification of sources of such tapes, documentation for the tapes, and the creation of surrogate records for cataloging, indexing, and abstracting are described. (seven references) (CLB)

Defines meta-analysis as statistical procedures for combining results from previous separate studies. Discusses four charges promoted by some skeptics as it relates to this statistical procedure. States that many of the trends making a place for meta-analysis are disturbing. (RT)

British higher education, particularly the polytechnic sector, is becoming more bureaucratic since Corporatisation in 1989. Performance indicators are useful when they create a better pedagogical process that benefits students. Performance indicators are not acceptable when they are used to satisfy the needs of capital and promote cost…

Evaluates 98 secondary reading strategy studies for internal and external validity. Addresses experimental design, data collection, and statistical analysis. Discuses specific strengths and weaknesses of the research. Offers suggestions for improvement of intervention research in the areas of design, data collection, and statistical analysis. (RS)

Although numbers such as average test scores or dropout rates can capture part of a school system's success or failure, school statistics seldom tell the whole story. School board members should realize that numbers might measure compliance or process, rather than improvement. Also, improvements in numbers might reflect changes in assessment…

Presents comparative regional data on school construction activities and costs for 1998 and 1999 projections. Regional data include profiles of new buildings expected to be completed in 1999, college construction completed and projected for starting in 1999, and the types of residence-hall amenities and the percentages of how often they are found.…

Criticizes the accuracy of the methodology currently used by the Australian Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs for identifying socioeconomic status of higher education students. Proposes new individually based measures related to the occupation and education of parents when the student was in high school. (Author/DB)

Introduces William Sanders, a professor of statistics who has created a controversial method of evaluating teachers and schools. He takes students' test scores, enters them into a computer, and measures how students improve from year to year. He claims this system is more fair, realistic, and reasonable than other methods because it emphasizes…

The meta-analysis of J. Cameron and W. D. Pierce (1994), which purports to demonstrate that extrinsic rewards may not undermine intrinsic motivation, is unpersuasive by virtue of its methodologies, its tendency to ignore important distinctions, and its failure to include certain evidence. (Author/SLD)

Provides a critical analysis of the meta-analysis of J. Cameron and W. D. Pierce (1994) of the experimental literature on the effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation. Their overly simplistic conclusion has little theoretical or practical value and results from misuse of meta-analytic procedures. (SLD)