THE SELECTION OF VARIABLES IN MULTIPLE REGRESSION ANALYSIS

4 different procedures are commonly employed with sample data to reduce a set of predictor variables. In the present study these procedures were repeatedly applied to computer-simulated samples to provide comparative data pertaining to two questions: (a) Which procedure can be expected to produce an equation that yields the most accurate predictions for the population? (b) Which procedure is most likely to identify the optimal set of independent variables? The samples were drawn from 12, mathematically defined, multivariate normal populations. Each population consisted of 1 criterion and 10 predictor variables. Five or fewer independent variables constituted the optimal set in each case. With respect to both questions small differences among the procedures were observed. However, the forward selection and stepwise procedures consistently produced more favorable results than the 2 backward elimination procedures. The question of the number of sampling units to use is discussed.     

Training Advanced Writing Skills: The Case for Deliberate Practice

The development of advanced writing skills has been neglected in schools of the United States, with even some college graduates lacking the level of ability required in the workplace (National Commission on Writing, 2003 National Commission on Writing. April 2003. The neglected “R”: The need for a writing revolution April, Retrieved December 1, 2008, from http://www.writingcommission.org/prod_downloads/writingcom/neglectedr.pdf [Google Scholar], 2004 National Commission on Writing. September 2004. Writing: A ticket to work… or a ticket out: A survey of business leaders September, Retrieved December 1, 2008, from http://www.writingcommission.org/prod_downloads/writingcom/writing-ticket-to-work.pdf [Google Scholar]). The core problem, we argue, is an insufficient degree of appropriate task practice distributed throughout the secondary and higher education curriculum. We draw on the power law of skill acquisition, the role of deliberate practice in expert performance, and the uniquely intensive demands that advanced written composition place on working memory to make this case. A major impediment to assigning enough writing tasks is the time and effort involved in grading papers to provide feedback. We close by considering possible solutions to the grading problem.     

史诗《格萨尔》的文化启蒙与教育功能

《格萨尔》作为藏族传统教育的一种重要形式,不仅发挥着传承藏族文化的重要作用,而且也将对藏族现代教育产生深刻影响。文章旨在强调新时期应充分发挥其实际存在的文化启蒙功能和教育作用,批判地吸收《格萨尔》中的积极成份,用以推动藏族社会物质文明和精神文明建设。     

思想政治教育的耗散结构分析

论文分析了耗散结构理论与思想政治教育之间的一致性,在此基础上,把耗散结构理论的基本原理具体运用于思想政治教育中,提出了运用耗散结构理论进行思想政治教育工作的设想和建议。     

The Family Autobiography Assignment: Some Ethical Considerations

The family autobiography assignment in counselor education is discussed from the standpoint of ethics related to dual relationships, self-disclosure, and student and family reactions. Instructional recommendations are provided.