Laura D. Goodwin

Cognitive and Affective Effects of Various Types of Microcomputer Use By Preschoolers

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the effects of microcomputer use on preschoolers’ knowledge of pre-reading concepts, and on their attitudes toward the microcomputer. After stratification by age and sex, 77 preschoolers were randomly assigned to three treatment conditions: (a) adult-assisted microcomputer instruction; (b) adult-unassisted microcomputer use; and (c) no microcomputer use (control condition). Children in the first two groups were given three 20-min, individual sessions on the microcomputer. The software programs used were designed to teach reading readiness concepts and were typical commercial programs available for this age group. A cognitive test was administered as a pretest and posttest, and an attitudinal interview was administered post-study only. The cognitive data were analyzed with a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). There were no significant treatment effects. The attitudinal data analysis revealed significantly greater interest in the microcomputer among the control-group children; however, that group’s interest declined significantly after they were given post-study, 20-min orientations to the microcomputer.

An alternative to interference indexes in neuropsychological time-sharing research.

Interference indexes are used as criterion measures in a significant proportion of time-sharing paradigms in order to control for the initial discrepancy between left- and right-handed tapping rates. Problems associated with these indexes include low reliability, low statistical power, and especially correlations with baseline tapping rates. An analysis of covariance procedure using raw-score concurrent tapping rates as criterion measures, and baseline tapping rates as covariates, can effectively address these problems as demonstrated through a reanalysis of data.

Whose needs are we meeting? Results of a consumer satisfaction survey of persons with developmental disabilities in Colorado

Results of one states attempt to survey consumers and/or their families regarding their level of satisfaction with existing services, their needs for alternative or additional services, and their perceptions of overall quality of life are presented. Two hundred forty-seven individuals with developmental disabilities ranging in age from 0-72 years were interviewed. Information on consumer satisfaction and levels of integration, productivity and independence were measured for the following services: case management, residential, education, vocational, health, individual support, transportation, and caregiver support.

Determining cut-off scores

The major methods for determining cut-off scores for certification and licensing examinations, and other criterion-referenced tests that result in pass/fail decisions, are described. Two major categories of methods are available: examination-centered and examinee-centered. Particular emphasis is given to the widely used Angoff (1971) method, and its common modifications. Some of the outstanding procedural and statistical issues are briefly discussed, including the need for more attention given to determining cut-off scores for measures used in clinical and research settings.

Increasing efficiency and precision of data analysis: multivariate vs. univariate statistical techniques

In deciding upon an appropriate analysis strategy during the planning phase of a research study, it is important to specify all of the independent and dependent variables to be included. From there, a technique should be chosen that will yield all of the information desired in the most efficient, precise, and powerful way. Frequently, the method of choice in nursing research will be a multivariate technique, since so many studies involve numerous variables whose effects on, or relationships with, other variables are of interest, as well as involving additional variables that should be taken into account for control or generalizability purposes. Not discussed in this paper, but worth mention, is the fact that all of these techniques involve various underlying assumptions (e.g., normality, homogeneity of variance, and independence in ANOVA) that must be met in order to use the techniques appropriately. If the assumptions are not met, the researcher might want to consider the use of nonparametric techniques--and there are both univariate and multivariate techniques available to choose from (Hollander & Wolfe, 1973; Siegel, 1956). The general advantages of a multivariate technique rather than separate univariate techniques would apply in terms of nonparametric statistics as well as parametric statistics. Increasing the accuracy, power, and efficiency of data analysis strategies should be a major concern to researchers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The use of nonreactive measures with preschoolers

The purpose of this article is to illustrate the utility of nonreactive measures for those measuring preschool children in a variety of contexts. The topics presented are: 1) a rationale for using nonreactive, as well as observational, test, and interview measures; 2) a description of four types of nonreactive measures and their limitations; and 3) examples of how caregivers and teachers can use nonreactive measures for preschoolers in order to gather information.