Workbook Method Research Articles

National Hepatitis C estimates: Incidence, prevalence, undiagnosed proportion and treatment, Canada, 2019.

Estimates of the number of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are important for monitoring efforts aimed at preventing disease transmission, especially following the introduction of a highly effective treatment. This report provides updated estimates of HCV incidence, prevalence, undiagnosed proportion and treatment in Canada. A combination of back calculation modelling and a modified version of the workbook method were used to estimate the incidence and prevalence of anti-HCV positive persons, the prevalence of chronic HCV infection and the undiagnosed proportion. The number of people treated for chronic HCV was estimated using administrative pharmaceutical data. An estimated 9,470 new infections occurred in 2019, corresponding to an incidence rate of 25 per 100,000 population, a 7.7% decrease since 2015. The estimated prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in the Canadian population was 1.03% (plausible range: 0.83%-1.38%), and the estimated prevalence of chronic HCV was 0.54% (plausible range: 0.40%-0.79%). The overall proportion of anti-HCV positive persons who were undiagnosed was estimated at 24% of all infections, with individuals born between 1945 and 1975 being the priority population the most likely to be undiagnosed. An estimated 74,500 people with chronic HCV have been treated since the introduction of direct-acting antivirals in 2014. Estimates of HCV incidence and prevalence are key metrics to guide interventions and resource allocation. While our estimates show that HCV incidence has decreased in Canada in recent years and treatment of chronic HCV has continued to increase, ongoing efforts are required to reduce the burden of HCV in Canada.

Chronic hepatitis B and C infections in the Netherlands: estimated prevalence in risk groups and the general population.

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are usually asymptomatic for decades, thus targeted screening can prevent liver disease by timely diagnosis and linkage to care. More robust estimates of chronic HBV and HCV infections in the general population and risk groups are needed. Using a modified workbook method, the total number of ever chronically infected individuals in the Netherlands in 2016 was determined using population size and prevalence estimates from studies in the general and high-risk population. The estimated 2016 chronic HBV infection prevalence is 0.34% (low 0.22%, high 0.47%), corresponding to approximately 49 000 (low 31 000, high 66 000) HBV-infected individuals aged 15 years and older. The estimated ever-chronic HCV infection prevalence is 0.16% (low 0.06%, high 0.27%), corresponding to approximately 23 000 (low 8000, high 38 000) ever-chronic HCV-infected individuals. The prevalence of chronic HBV and HCV infections in the Netherlands is low. First-generation migrants account for most infections with 81% and 60% of chronic HBV and HCV infections, respectively. However, about one-fifth of HCV infections is found in the general population at low risk. This method can serve as an example for countries in need of more accurate prevalence estimates, to help the design and evaluation of prevention and control policies.

Chronic hepatitis B and C infections in the Netherlands: estimated prevalence in risk groups and the general population

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are usually asymptomatic for decades, thus targeted screening can prevent liver disease by timely diagnosis and linkage to care. More robust estimates of chronic HBV and HCV infections in the general population and risk groups are needed. Using a modified workbook method, the total number of ever chronically infected individuals in the Netherlands in 2016 was determined using population size and prevalence estimates from studies in the general and high-risk population. The estimated 2016 chronic HBV infection prevalence is 0.34% (low 0.22%, high 0.47%), corresponding to approximately 49 000 (low 31 000, high 66 000) HBV-infected individuals aged 15 years and older. The estimated ever-chronic HCV infection prevalence is 0.16% (low 0.06%, high 0.27%), corresponding to approximately 23 000 (low 8000, high 38 000) ever-chronic HCV-infected individuals. The prevalence of chronic HBV and HCV infections in the Netherlands is low. First-generation migrants account for most infections with 81% and 60% of chronic HBV and HCV infections, respectively. However, about one-fifth of HCV infections is found in the general population at low risk. This method can serve as an example for countries in need of more accurate prevalence estimates, to help the design and evaluation of prevention and control policies.

Au fait law placements

Purpose – Enhancing student employability and bridging the gap between theory and practice in law education requires a more multifaceted approach than the traditional mix of lectures, tutorials and simulations. Law placements also provide an opportunity to reinforce the importance of the professional practice standards and requirements laid down by the Law Society of Scotland. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the design and implementation of law placements from the point of initiation to becoming a regular practice. The emphasis is on placements embedded in the programme of study offered to Stage 3 students to facilitate their career choices prior to specialisation in the final year. Design/methodology/approach – This study utilises a longitudinal multi-method approach, allowing the analysis of various aspects the development and practical implementation of law-related placements. The views of students, academic staff and representatives of local employers are gathered by in-depth interviews. A reflective workbook method is also used to analyse the “integration” of learning and to support the “demonstration” and assessment of personal and professional capabilities which are difficult to assess by other means. Findings – The paper presents the challenge faced by a higher education institution in organising meaningful placements and looks at the other avenues explored, particularly in the Third Sector. There are differences in the expectations of law placement providers (law firms and Third Sector organisations) in respect of students’ skill and knowledge base. The students were explicit about the need to demystify the profession and are appreciative of experience with atypical law placement providers which expands their perceptions of the choices within a law career. Students have also indicated a positive alteration in their attitude to the role of reflective practice, which stimulated changes in their behaviour with respect to professional development. Practical implications – The outcomes of the initial stage of this study have implications for law departments in higher education in the context of organising law placements, evaluating their effectiveness and their impact on student employability. Originality/value – Teaching law has its specifics and already employs a number of methods: simulations, negotiation exercises, moots and debates. This paper explores ways of providing a more meaningful practical experience for undergraduate students by placing an emphasis on such elements of professional practice as drafting legal documents and preparing professional opinions, while introducing the complexity of the law profession. Solutions to the challenges faced by the institution in organising those placements are analysed. The study provides an analytical view on the effectiveness of law placements in relation to other widely used approaches to bridging the gap between the theory and practice of law.

Estimated prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus infection in Canada, 2011.

Prevalence estimates contribute to our understanding of the magnitude of a particular health condition and in planning appropriate public health interventions. To estimate the prevalence of chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, anti-HCV-positive status (anti-HCV) and the proportion of undiagnosed HCV infections in Canada. A combination of back-calculation and workbook methods was used. The back-calculation method estimated prevalent chronic HCV infection and the proportion undiagnosed using the Canadian Cancer Registry's data on hepatocellular carcinoma reported between 1992 and 2008 and the Canadian Notifiable Disease Surveillance System's data on Hepatitis C virus (HCV) cases reported between 1991 and 2009 in a Markov multi-state disease progression model with parameters adjusted to Canada. The workbook method divided the total population of Canada into population subsets and developed estimates of population size and anti-HCV prevalence for each. Sub-population size estimates were multiplied by anti-HCV prevalence measures to calculate the prevalence of anti-HCV by sub-population. A measure of spontaneous clearance was used to estimate the number of persons with chronic HCV from estimates of the number of anti-HCV-positive persons. The back-calculation method estimated the prevalence of chronic HCV infection at 0.64% and the proportion of undiagnosed chronic HCV infection at 44% in 2011. The workbook method estimated the anti-HCV prevalence at 0.96% (plausibility range: 0.61% to 1.34%) and chronic HCV infection at 0.71% (0.45 - 0.99%). By combining mid-point estimates from both methods, it is estimated that between 0.64% to 0.71% of the overall Canadian population was living with chronic HCV infection in 2011 and 44% of these individuals were undiagnosed.

Flammable vapor cloud generation from overfilling tanks: Learning the lessons from Buncefield

The Buncefield Incident in 2005 led to a significant change in our understanding of how flammable vapor clouds could be generated from overfilling bulk storage tanks with volatile liquids. Prior to that incident, it was widely thought that an overfilling tank would produce a pool of liquid in the bunded area around a tank that would evaporate relatively slowly. However, in the Buncefield Incident, the release of liquid through vents in the tank roof led to waterfall-like cascade of fine gasoline droplets that produced flammable vapor at a much faster rate. It took only around 25 min for the dense current of flammable vapor to fill an area roughly 500 m by 400 m to a depth of between 2 m and 4 m. The wind speed was very low during the incident and the way in which the vapor cloud dispersed was affected by the slope of the ground and presence of obstacles. The resulting explosion was severe, even across open unobstructed areas. Fortunately there were no fatalities, but the total damage from the incident was estimated to have cost around $1.5 billion. Since the Buncefield Incident took place, several incidents with striking similarities have taken place at Jaipur (India), San Juan (Puerto Rico) and the Amuay Refinery (Venezuela).This paper presents the findings of the Buncefield Incident investigation team and further research that has been carried out on tank overfilling releases over the last seven years at the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL). The work has involved a combination of unique spill experiments and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling, and has resulted in a simple methodology for predicting the rate of flammable vapor production from overfilling tanks. This paper takes the opportunity to present for the first time a unified narrative, starting with the key findings of the incident investigation and culminating with the description of a workbook method for predicting which substances and storage tanks could create significant vapor clouds.

Estimation of syphilis epidemic through application of workbook method among populations aged from 15 to 49 years old in China in 2011

To apply workbook method for the estimation on syphilis epidemic in China. The data on population size and syphilis infection were collected by national STD and HIV/AIDS surveillance system among six populations aged from 15 to 49 years old in 31 provinces in 2011. Six groups included female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), STD clinic attendee, drug users, pregnant women and general population. Meta analysis was applied to pool the different prevalence of the same population in the different sentinels of each province, and then workbook method was applied to estimate the syphilis epidemic in China. The estimation of syphilis epidemic(95%CI) was 2 979 422(1 504 000-6 063 309) among the populations aged 15 to 49 years old in 2011. The estimation among FSW was 54 624 (38 422-78 875) , that of MSM was 265 453 (162 586-506 520) , that of STD clinic attendee was 53 555 (31 256-98 057) , that of drug users was 94 244 (66 475-139 349) , that of pregnant women was 70 062 (39 942-136 584) and that of general population was 2 441 484 (1 165 319-5 103 924) . The proportion of general population in the whole estimation of syphilis infection was 81.94%, and that of MSM was 8.91%. The estimation of syphilis incidence was 1 489 711 among 15 to 49 years old, and the estimation of syphilis prevalence was 0.40% in the whole country. The estimation of incidence in this research was 5.2 times as the number of reported cases from China information system for diseases control and prevention. Workbook method was a scientific and feasible toolkit for the estimation of syphilis epidemic in China, and the estimation outcomes were greatly significant for syphilis control.

Quantitative Methods in Socio-Legal Studies: A Methodology Clinic Workbook - CSLS, University of Oxford

What do we mean by the quantitative-qualitative research process in contemporary socio-legal empirical research? When we conduct research using experimental designs, engage with survey data, or build secondary data sets, there are often questions unanswered by quantitative data only. New research questions need to be derived, often requiring both new quantification hypotheses, or further examinations of the original measures of quantification. In particular must we always qualitatively validate the quantitative measures originally taken in legal empirical research, given that participants are qualitative end-users of the law, and given that the quantification of the law must be always qualitatively comprehensible? This seminar paper proposes that quantitative measures of the research participant's own words in legal research can tell us something new about the accuracy of the correspondence between the participant's actual reasoning on quantitative measures, to provide a measure of validation, or indeed provide a measure of accuracy assessment for an original research question, given a known theory and accepted data in a field. Given that the nature of quantification in law tends to qualify quantitative concepts in linguistic terms only, the qualitative-quantitative method may be a particularly important component to quantitative data collection in socio-legal studies. To this end this seminar paper will provide a framework for analysing these qualitative components of research participant's protocols in legal empirical research by taking an introductory tour through quantitative methodology and providing demonstrative examples. Recorded utterances and dialogue, recorded both during the research task, and retrospectively for qualitative-quantitative validation of quantification will be explicated as a workbook method for the following practical discussions: Experimental design-manipulation; Quasi-experimental design; Cross-sectional design; Longitudinal design; and Case study design.

Hepatitis C virus prevalence in The Netherlands: migrants account for most infections

A population-based anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence is important for surveillance purposes and it provides insight into the burden of disease. The outcomes of recent studies in the general Dutch population as well as recent HCV data from specific risk groups including migrants, men who have sex with men (MSM) and injecting drug users (IDUs), were implemented in a modified version of the Workbook Method (a spreadsheet originally designed for HIV estimations), to estimate Dutch HCV seroprevalence. The estimated national seroprevalence of HCV was 0·22% (min 0·07%, max 0·37%), corresponding to 28 100 (min n = 9600, max n = 48 000) HCV-infected individuals in The Netherlands. Of these, first-generation migrants from HCV-endemic countries (HCV prevalence ≥2%) accounted for the largest HCV-infected group, followed by IDUs and HIV-positive MSM.

D6 Estimation and Projection of HIV Epidemic Among High-Risk Populations in Jilin Province, China

Background National HIV estimates for China are conflicting. Current estimates are 0.057% (Chinese government), 0.1% (UNAIDS). Objective: To estimate the number of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Jilin province, China, in 2009 and to analyze and project the HIV epidemic trend in the next five years (2010–2015), thereby providing evidence for targeted HIV prevention and control measures. Method Workbook method, Estimation and Projection Package and Asia Epidemic Model were used to estimate the number of individuals with HIV/AIDS and to project the HIV epidemic trend from 2010 to 2015 using data from sentinel surveillance, case reports, epidemiological surveys and scientific lectures. Results By the end of 2009, there were 4388 PLWHA in Jilin Province, with a provincial HIV prevalence rate of 0.024%. Over 50% of PLWHA were men who have sex with men (MSM). From 2010 to 2015, the HIV epidemic will rise markedly among MSM [from 2.96% (2010) to 7.45 (2015)], relatively rise slowly among injecting drug users (IDU) [4.75% (2010) to 6.40 (2015)], and slow down among female sex workers (FSW) [0.66% (2010) to 1.62 (2015)] and their clients [1.05% (2010) to 2.62 (2015)]. Conclusions The number of PLWHA in Jilin province (and China) will rise quickly in the next five years if intervention efforts are not intensified to thwart the spread of HIV and if stigma and discrimination against MSM is not stopped. There is need for targeted preventive interventions. There is need to sensitize health care workers and health care administrators on the importance of accurate reporting of HIV cases.

National estimate of HIV prevalence in the Netherlands: comparison and applicability of different estimation tools

to determine limitations and strengths of three methodologies developed to estimate HIV prevalence and the number of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). the UNAIDS/WHO Workbook method; the Multiparameter Evidence Synthesis (MPES) adopted by the Health Protection Agency; and the UNAIDS/WHO Estimation and Projection Package (EPP) and Spectrum method were used and their applicability and feasibility were assessed. All methods estimate the number infected in mutually exclusive risk groups among 15-70-year-olds. using data from the Netherlands, the Workbook method estimated 23 969 PLWHA as of January 2008. MPES estimated 21 444 PLWHA, with a 95% credible interval (CrI) of 17 204-28 694. Adult HIV prevalence was estimated at 0.2% (95% CrI 0.15-0.24%) and 40% (95% CrI 25-55%) were undiagnosed. Spectrum applied gender-specific mortality, resulting in a projected estimate of 19 115 PLWHA. although outcomes differed between the methods, they broadly concurred. An advantage of MPES is that the proportion diagnosed can be estimated by risk group, which is important for policy guidance. However, before MPES can be used on a larger scale, it should be made more easily applicable. If the aim is not only to obtain annual estimates, but also short-term projections, then EPP and Spectrum are more suitable. Research into developing and refining analytical tools, which make use of all available information, is recommended, especially HIV diagnosed cases, as this information is becoming routinely collected in most countries with concentrated HIV epidemics.

Estimating the number of people living with HIV/AIDS in China: 2003-09

Background Before 2003, little was known about the scale of China’s HIV/AIDS epidemic. In 2003, the Chinese government produced national estimates with support from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, the World Health Organization and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Subsequent national estimation exercises were carried out in 2005, 2007 and 2009. We describe these estimation processes and present the results of China’s HIV/AIDS estimation exercises from 2003 to 2009.Methods The Workbook Method was used to generate national HIV/AIDS estimates. Data from the provincial level were used in 2003, data from the prefecture level were used in 2005 and data from the county level were used in 2007 and 2009. Data at the lowest level of aggregation were used to estimate risk group population size and HIV prevalence. Data from lower levels were combined into national estimates.Results At the end of 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009, there were an estimated 0.84, 0.65, 0.70 and 0.74 million people living with HIV/AIDS in China, respectively, with an overall HIV prevalence of 0.05–0.06%. The number of new HIV infections decreased from 70 000 in 2005, to 50 000 in 2007, to 48 000 in 2009. Data quality improvements have increased the precision of China’s HIV estimates.Conclusion Repeated estimates have improved understanding of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in China. HIV estimates are a valuable tool for guiding national AIDS policies evaluating HIV prevention and control programmes.

Estimates of the Number of Prevalent and Incident Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infections in Canada, 2008

To estimate the number of prevalent and incident HIV infections in Canada in 2008. We applied multiple methods to estimate national HIV prevalence and incidence in Canada, including the workbook method, two statistical modelling methods, and an iterative spreadsheet model. The estimated number of people living with diagnosed or undiagnosed HIV infection (including AIDS) continues to rise, from an estimated 57,000 in 2005 to 65,000 in 2008. Nearly half (48%) of these HIV-infected persons were men who have sex with men (MSM) and 22% were women. An estimated 16,900 persons with prevalent infection (26% of total prevalent infections) were unaware of their HIV-infected status and this proportion varied from an estimated 19% of HIV-infected MSM, to 25% of HIV-infected people who inject drugs, and 35% of HIV-infected heterosexuals. An estimated 3,300 new infections occurred in Canada in 2008, which was about the same as the estimate of 3200 in 2005. Of those new infections, 26% were among women and 12.5% were of Aboriginal descent; in terms of exposure category, MSM continued to comprise the greatest proportion of new infections (44%) and heterosexuals who originated in countries where HIV is endemic comprised 16%. HIV incidence in Canada is not decreasing. Aboriginal people and people from HIV-endemic countries continue to be over-represented in Canada's HIV epidemic. People unaware of their HIV infection are a priority for being tested and diagnosed to enable them to take advantage of care services and receive counselling to prevent further spread of HIV.

The 2007 Estimates for People at Risk for and Living With HIV in China: Progress and Challenges

To present the methods used for the 2007 estimates for the number of people at risk for and infected with HIV. : Estimation work took place throughout 2007, led by the National Center for AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with United Nations AIDS and the World Health Organization. The workbook method was used to process prefecture and county-level surveillance data to generate HIV prevalence by risk group for each prefecture, which was in turn imported into the spectrum model to generate estimates of new infections and HIV-related deaths. The working group estimated that as of 2007, there were 700,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in China, with 50,000 new infections and 20,000 HIV-related deaths in that year. Injection drug use and sexual contact are still primary modes of HIV transmission, with heterosexual contact quickly becoming the dominant route, making up 44.7% of new infections in 2007. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is still highly concentrated in certain areas, with wide variation in prevalence across regions. The 2007 estimates are based on the most accurate and local-level data available to date, including case reports, sentinel surveillance data, results from mass screening of key target groups, and special epidemiological studies.

Analysis of the epidemiologic patterns of HIV transmission in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province

To uncover the transmission patterns of the HIV epidemic in Dehong prefecture. The reviewed case reports, data of sentinel surveillance, testing and special survey were analyzed by SAS 8.0 program. The transmission patterns were modeled by utilizing data including sizes of the whole population and the high risk groups, high risk behavior data from 1989 to 2007, and the population index such as sex ratio and fertility rate. In 2005, case reports showed the proportion of people infected with HIV through sexual contact was 39.1%, and 46.9% in 2006. Among 1636 cases reported between January 1 to September 20, 2007, the proportion of people infected with HIV through sexual contact was 52%. From 1989 to 2007, the proportion of HIV infection among drug users was declining, while HIV infection through sexual contact was rising after standardizing the population tested/surveyed. The Asian Epidemic Model has shown that the proportions of incident HIV infections through sexual transmissions were 50.6%, 52.3% and 52.7% respectively from 2005 to 2007. Correspondingly, the proportions of incident cases by injecting drug user were 48.9%, 47.2% and 46.7% respectively during this period. Moreover, the Workbook method has shown that, among adults living with HIV in 2007, 50.3% were infected through injecting drugs and 48.4% through unsafe sexual activity. The rapid rise in HIV infections through injecting drug in Dehong prefecture has been initially curbed. HIV epidemic has already witnessed a change from predominantly through drug injecting-related activity to an almost equally fuelled epidemic by sexual and drug-related transmission.

Estimates of HIV prevalence in a highly endemic area of China: Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan Province

Dehong Prefecture in Yunnan Province, China, borders Myanmar. Its proximity to the 'Golden Triangle', one of the world's largest illicit drug production and distribution centre, contributes to drug trafficking and ready availability of heroin. Dehong's 1.1 million people confront a serious HIV problem fuelled by injection drug use. The aim of this study is to improve the 2005 estimates of the true status of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Dehong Prefecture. We estimated the HIV prevalence by synthesizing the results from several data sources (HIV/AIDS case reports, surveys, surveillance activities and epidemiological studies). We applied three different statistical procedures for estimations: (i) The Workbook method, adapted to meet the estimation needs in Dehong Prefecture; (ii) An estimate based on antenatal clinical data; and (iii) a dynamic model based on the local epidemic pattern. We estimated that the population prevalence for HIV infections in Dehong Prefecture is 1.3% (likely range from low/high of three estimates: 0.9-1.7%) such that 13 500 people were living with HIV/AIDS in Dehong Prefecture (likely range: 8,200-18,300) in 2005. Infections remain concentrated among injection drug users, female sex workers and their clients with an uneven geographical distribution of estimated cases. More reliable estimates of HIV prevalence can be made by synthesizing multiple data sources using several procedures. Current HIV prevention, care and treatment challenges are judged substantial in Dehong Prefecture, regardless of what modelling strategy is used.

Estimating the number of people at risk for and living with HIV in China in 2005: methods and results

Background: No new estimates of HIV infection have been available for China since 2003. However, since then, data availability has increased dramatically. Objectives: To use internationally recommended methods to make...

A group method for obtaining dietary recalls of children

A self-administered workbook for dietary assessment in small groups was compared with 24-hour dietary recall interviews. Forty-seven 10- to 18-year-olds, in groups of 5 to 8, recorded consumptions during the previous 24 hours and responded to individual recall interviews. Photographs and names of foods served as probes. Standardized food models were used to estimate portions. Nutritionists calculated gram amounts of foods and beverages consumed and analyzed diets for nutrient intakes. Significantly higher niacin (17.4 mg vs. 15.8 mg, p less than .05) and slightly higher protein, animal protein, carbohydrate, and cholesterol (N.S.) were estimated by the group workbook method. Correlations for individual dietary components ranged from 0.69 to 0.93. Dinner accounted for most differences, with statistically greater mean intakes of nine dietary components shown by the workbook method. Thirty-four dinner foods (8%) were not listed in common by the two methods. Sixty-six foods (15%) listed by the two methods had differing gram amounts. Improvements should include increased parental verification of the evening meal, additional training with food models, and periodic rest sessions. The workbook method may expand the time frame studied per individual and increase the number of eating periods examined. Replicate examinations per individual provide measurement of intra-individual variation. This method has applications in studies for which large samples or repeated measures are required.

The Effectiveness of Workbooks in the Elementary School Reading Program

WIDELY divergent viewpoints exist concerning the value of reading workbooks in the instruction al process of the elementary classroom. Oppo nents of the use of workbooks in the reading pro gram criticize them as busywork and claim it is impossible to meet the individual needs of child ren with this type of material. Proponents iden tify the workbooks as a near panacea for the ills of the entire reading program and claim that there are vast savings in teacher preparation time when the workbooks are used. Strangely, in education al literature there seems to be little middle ground between the two factions and even less re search evidence to support either viewpoint. To determine what objective evidence could be obtained regarding the advantages or disadvan tages of workbook or methods, a study was undertaken by this writer in 1959. With the approval of the Los Angeles Board of Educa tion, the objectives of this study were implement ed by staff members of the D iv is ion of Intruc tional Services and Elementary Education. * This research, therefore, attempted to m e a s u re the relative effectiveness of workbook and non-work book methods of follow-up activity through an an alysis of empirical evidence gathered in a highly controlled learning experiment. The ''workbook method was defined as a reading follow-up activity involving the use of a commercially published, consumable book design ed to accompany a specific basal reader. A non-workbook method was defined as a reading follow-up activity involving the use of materials designed and prepared by individual teachers for specific reading groups. The term follow-up, when used to describe apart of a lesson or type of reading material, was defined as a reading ac tivity designed to reinforce previous teaching and to afford practice for the pupil in specific reading skills.

Teacher Assignments versus Workbook Assignments

In 1931 Wesley' issued a rather clear-cut challenge to students of education to investigate scientifically the problem of the value of any and all workbooks. This challenge has, apparently, been almost entirely ignored; the writer was able to find the published report of but one controlled experiment to determine the value of the social-science workbook. Cressman2 performed an experiment to compare the values of the workbook method and the oral-instruction method in teaching citizenship and conduct to groups of seventhgrade pupils. He found that the workbook method was slightly but not significantly superior to the oral-instruction method, and he concluded that the results indicated no significant advantage of the workbook over oral instruction. Nelson3 conducted an experiment from which he concluded that, for the teaching of civics to pupils in Grades XI and XII, the workbook has no significant advantage over an oral-instruction method. The results of these two experiments have stood alone to refute the testimony of many enthusias-