An analysis of training programs in school psychology

The 85 institutions below indicated that they have a graduate training program in school psychology or that one may acquire certification although there is no formal program as such. The information was supplied in response to a questionnaire by a representative of each institution and is current as of March, 1967. The list is far from complete. Several institutions with known programs failed to respond to the questionnaire and their names are not included.

As suggested by Smith (1964), the institution should be contacted directly for further information.     

Synchronizing programs using Macromedia Director plug-ins: An example from the field of developmental psychopathology

Synchronizing the display of a stimulus with physiological recording or subjects’ behavioral responses is crucial for acquiring valid measures of performance. This article describes a technique for integrating the presentation of stimuli, behavior reports, and physiological data employing Macromedia Director and a standard biometric program using an example from the field of developmental psychopathology. Our experience has been that the use of this technique is effective in creating complex protocols for research. Although the temporal accuracy available from this particular method is adequate for some experiments, it is not suited for investigations requiring single millisecond accuracy. Considerations and suggestions for utilizing this and similar techniques for integrating data collection and stimuli presentation are discussed.     

Cluster analysis in school psychology: An example

This investigation demonstrates the use of Ward's method of cluster analysis to uncover the underlying classification structure in a group of children (N = 200) referred for psychological evaluations by their public school teachers. Data were acquired on children's intellectual development, academic achievement, and social adjustment. The cluster solution identifies six groups of children which are statistically distinct. All three measurement areas are important in distinguishing among the different groups. The six-group solution accounted for appreciable amounts (95%) of the variability in the three measurement areas. Implications for psychologists working in the schools are discussed.     

Using Excel to estimate parameters from observed data: An example from source memory data

We present an application, using Excel, that can solve best-fitting parameters for multinomial models. Multinomial modeling has become increasingly popular and can be used in a variety of domains, such as memory, perception, and other domains in which processes are assumed to be dissociable. We offer an application that can be used for a variety of psychological models and can be used on both PC and Macintosh platforms. We illustrate the use of our program by analyzing data from a source memory experiment.     

Characteristics of useful evaluation data: An example from community mental health centers

The results of an empirical study of the use of evaluation data in community mental health centers are reported. A mailed survey on evaluation use was conducted among the directors of 164 community mental health centers in 19 states; 140 completed questionnaires were returned. Results indicate that certain types of data have important impacts in a majority of centers. Systems resources management data were most highly used, followed by need assessment data, and client utilization data. Least used were data on outcomes of intervention and community impact. Data use appears closely tied to the utility of the data in carrying out priority management tasks in a center. Findings have important implications for community psychologists who plan, administer, or evaluate mental health services. The broader role of evaluation in community psychology is also discussed.     

Decision analysis: An approach for multidisciplinary teams in planning special service programs

A decision analytic approach for use by multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) in planning special service programs is described, and formative evaluation information on its application by MDTs in planning individualized education programs (IEPs) is presented. Decision analysis is applied following initial determination of program goals and objectives. In using the approach, an MDT engages in a six-step process: (a) delineation of program alternatives, (b) determination of program outcomes, (c) assessment of probabilities, (d) assessment of utilities, (e) determination of overall program values, and (f) selection of the program to be developed. Utilization of the approach allows a complex program planning situation to be disaggregated into its essential elements, with discussion of program alternatives occurring relative to specific decision criteria. Strengths and limitations of the approach also are discussed, and future directions for research are briefly noted.     

An independent component analysis of fMRI data of grapheme-colour synaesthesia

The independent component analysis (ICA) method was applied to fMRI data from two synaesthetes and their matched controls while they performed the coloured-word Stroop task and the single-letter (synaesthetic) Stroop task. ICA identified an 'attention' network, a 'perceptual' network as well as a 'conflict monitoring' network. Increased activity was observed in right V4 during the single-letter Stroop task for synaesthetes only. The finding confirms that the same neural substrate that is known to support the experience of physical colours also supports the experience of synaesthetic colours.     

An interactive multiobjective programming approach to combinatorial data analysis

Combinatorial optimization problems in the social and behavioral sciences are frequently associated with a variety of alternative objective criteria. Multiobjective programming is an operations research methodology that enables the quantitative analyst to investigate tradeoffs among relevant objective criteria. In this paper, we describe an interactive procedure for multiobjective asymmetric unidimensional seriation problems. This procedure uses a dynamic-programming algorithm to partially generate the efficient set of sequences for small to medium-sized problems, and a multioperation heuristic to estimate the efficient set for larger problems. The interactive multiobjective procedure is applied to an empirical data set from the psychometric literature. We conclude with a discussion of other potential areas of application in combinatorial data analysis.Stephanie Stahl is a freelance writer and editor. She can be reached via e-mail at s-stahl@worldnet.att.net.     

An incomplete data approach to the analysis of covariance structures

In this paper, linear structural equation models with latent variables are considered. It is shown how many common models arise from incomplete observation of a relatively simple system. Subclasses of models with conditional independence interpretations are also discussed. Using an incomplete data point of view, the relationships between the incomplete and complete data likelihoods, assuming normality, are highlighted. For computing maximum likelihood estimates, the EM algorithm and alternatives are surveyed. For the alternative algorithms, simplified expressions for computing function values and derivatives are given. Likelihood ratio tests based on complete and incomplete data are related, and an example on using their relationship to improve the fit of a model is given.This research forms part of the author's doctoral thesis and was supported by a Commonwealth Postgraduate Research Award. The author also wishes to acknowledge the support of CSIRO during the preparation of this paper and the referees' comments which led to substantial improvements.     

Generalized locus of control: An analysis of factor analytic data

Despite discouraging empirical evidence concerning a general expectancy of internal or external (I-E) locus of control, researchers appear reluctant to abandon Rotter's original hypothesis. A possible methodological flaw in most I-E research involves the failure to test the measured tendency against multiple act criteria. Data which address this concern may be found in factor analytic studies of I-E scales. This evidence is reviewed with respect to three predictions derived from a generalized expectancy hypothesis. First the expectancy should be measured by a single dimension. Second, this dimension should have breadth of application across situations. Third, the dimension should generalize to a variety of populations. Factor analytic data provide little support for these predictions. It is suggested that goal-specific multidimensional locus of control scales hold greater promise for predicting behaviour.     

Employing community data to investigate social and structural dimensions of urban neighborhoods: An early childhood education example

The present study sought to define neighborhood context by examining relationships among data from city-level administrative databases at the level of the census block group. The present neighborhood investigation included 1,801 block groups comprising a large, northeastern metropolitan area. Common factor analyses and multistage, hierarchical cluster analyses yielded two dimensions (i.e., Social Stress, Structural Danger) and two typologies (i.e., Racial Composition, Property Structure Composition) of neighborhood context. Simultaneous multiple regression analyses revealed small but statistically significant associations between neighborhood variables and academic outcomes for public school kindergarten children.     

An individual difference model for the multidimensional analysis of preference data

A model for the analysis of paired comparison data is presented which combines features of the BTL-model with features of the Unfolding model. The model is metric, mathematically tractable, and has an exact algebraic solution. Since it is multidimensional and allows for individual differences, it is thought to be more realistic for some choice situations than either the Thurstone model or the BTL-model. No claim is made that the present model will be appropriate for all conceivable choice situations. Rather, it is argued that the fact that it is explicitly falsifiable is a point in its favor.This work was supported by a grant of the United States Public Health Service (1 R03 MH19139 01 MSM) and a David Ross (XR) grant of the Purdue Research Foundation (PRF 2132), both of which are gratefully acknowledged. We also owe thanks to Dr. Terry Cooper, whose careful scrutiny of an earlier draft of this paper allowed us to reduce the number of errors from n to n-1.