MEASLES AND READINESS FOR READING AND LEARNING .I. BACKGROUND PURPOSE AND GENERAL METHODOLOGY

Black, F. L, J. P. Fox (Univ. of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Wash. 98105), L Elveback and A. Kogon. Measles and readiness for reading and learn-ing. I. Background, purpose and general methodology. Amer. J. Epid., 1968, 88: 333-336.-The hypothesis is advanced that unmodified measles may result in minor changes in mental ability and behavior which have heretofore escaped notice because of the ubiquity of measles. A method for testing this hypothesis is described based on studies of first grade children for whom are available the results of reading or learning readiness tests administered as they finish kindergarten. Blood specimens are collected for serology and histories of measles, administration of gamma globulin, and measles vaccination are obtained as is information concerning other factors (covariants) such as birth order, number of siblings, socio-economic status and level of parental education that might influence test performance. On the basis of history and serologic results, the children are divided into 4 groups: 1) unmodified measles; 2) gamma globulin modified measles; 3) measles vaccine; and 4) measles susceptibles. The techniques of analysis of variance and analysis of covariance are employed to calculate, with computer assistance, average test scores for each group adjusted for the several covariants. This bask method was developed for studies conducted in 3 child populations. © 1968, by The Johns Hopkins University.