The process of dealing with real world problems often requires solutions that would not be totally acceptable in the world of "pure" scientific research. A systems analytic viewpoint demands that everything possible be done to define the constraints of the system and that the procedures used to construct a model out of imperfect data be specified.…

The purpose of this paper is to propose the combined use of distinct symbol sets to conduct multilevel process (MLP) analysis and to discuss the application of the technique through a case study example. In turn, consideration is given to the meaning of process analysis, the existent technology of representation, proposed new developments, and…

This paper presents a conceptual framework for the future study and development of new structures for organizing education in metropolitan areas. Intended as a step toward development of general organizational rules, it attempts to (1) refine and reduce to a general rule the concepts of organization, organizational change, and organizational…

A research study was conducted for the Office of Telecommunications Policy to determine the capital outlay and operating costs of community antenna television (CATV) systems. Six major tasks were undertaken: 1) the development of a body of technical information about CATV; 2) the production of a complete work breakdown structure; 3) a cost…

Although the techniques of simulations and systems analysis are often abused, they can provide a useful framework for rural development research. However since system simulation models can generate what appears to be precise data, it is well to remember that results are merely projections of what would be expected to occur if all the conditions of…

Describes new theories in science, based on the construct of "order through fluctuations," which lead to new understanding of the emergence of creativity from turbulence, both in the universe and in education. Attempts to develop new metaphors for "becoming" in education. (Author/KH)

In two recent issues of The Counseling Psychologist focusing on the theme of New Directions in Training, Robert Carkhuff and Steven Zifferblatt outlined their approaches to the preparation of counseling psychologists and other helpers. The purpose of this paper is to summarize, integrate and extend these models such that further paradigms and…

A taxonomy for modeling information systems is presented. Epistemology is used as a prescriptive modeling basis and it is shown how the different models can be made scientifically operational by using a special kind of systems analysis. Results of a preliminary experiment based on one of the models are presented. (60 references) (Author/KE)

Systems analysis and synthesis are applied to the supervision of school psychological services. A brief review of the key concepts of systems theory is followed by an explanation of one possible system for supervision. Illustrations of the usefulness of the systems approach to supervision are included. (Author)

SYSTEMS ANALYSIS IS DEFINED AS AN APPROACH TO PROBLEMS OF DECISION-MAKING WHICH PROCEEDS BY ASCERTAINING OBJECTIVES, DETERMINING CONSTRAINTS, ELABORATING ALTERNATIVES, AND ESTIMATING THE COSTS, BENEFITS, AND RISKS OF FEASIBLE ALTERNATIVES. THE SYSTEMS ANALYSIS DESCRIBED HERE IS BEING CONDUCTED IN SUPPORT OF PLANNING FOR THE HEALTH SCIENCES…

A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE, A MAIL SURVEY, AND A TEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF JUNIOR COLLEGE DOCUMENTS INDICATE THAT, WHILE CALIFORNIA JUNIOR COLLEGES ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF INSTRUCTION, CONTROL OF THAT QUALITY IS RARELY A SYSTEMATIC ROUTINE ENTERPRISE BASED ON EXAMINATION OF BEHAVIOR CHANGES IN STUDENTS FOLLOWING INSTRUCTION.…

The paper attempts to provide a general framework for dealing with management information systems (MIS). An MIS is defined to have the following characteristics: (1) related to ongoing activities of an organization, (2) a man-machine system, (3) composed of a collection of subsystems, and (4) oriented around a large data base. An MIS places a…