Although today's computers can perform as many as one million operations per second, there are many problems that are still too large to be solved in a straightforward manner. Recent work indicates that many approximate solutions are useful and more efficient than exact solutions. (Author/RH)

Among the computer-based methods used for the construction of trees such as AID, THAID, CART, and FACT, the only one that uses an algorithm that first grows a tree and then prunes the tree is CART. The pruning component of CART is analogous in spirit to the backward elimination approach in regression analysis. This idea provides a tool in…

A procedure for item analysis using distance clustering is described. Items are grouped according to the predominant factors measured, regardless of what they are. The procedure provides an efficient method of treating unanswered items. (Author/RC)

Presents three text compression methods of increasing power and evaluates each based on the trade-off between compression gain and processing time. The advantages of using hash coding for speed and optimal arithmetic coding to successor information for compression gain are discussed. (26 references) (Author/CLB)

The purpose of this study was to compare three technologies: the item forms technology (domain-referenced testing) of Hively et al. (1968), the hierarchical or stratified item forms technology of Ferguson (1969), and the algorithmic technology of Scandura (1971, 1973). (Author/RK)

Examines notion of algorithms and describes variety of roles they take in educational endeavors. Problems in their development and application are explored, and implications for future use and research are presented. References are included. (BK)

Applies neural network methods for forecasting 1991-95 per-pupil expenditures in U.S. public elementary and secondary schools. Forecasting models included the National Center for Education Statistics' multivariate regression model and three neural architectures. Regarding prediction accuracy, neural network results were comparable or superior to…

The absence of suitable external criteria is a recurrent problem for test, battery, and inventory developers in selecting items or tests for inclusion in final operational instruments. This report presents a computing algorithm developed for use when no adequate external selection criterion is available. The algorithm uses a multiple linear…

To fully develop a teacher cost model, it is essential to be able to forecast the number of teachers that leave the experience category distribution -- not only the total number that leave, but also the number that leave from each category and experience level within the distribution. Similarly, it is essential to be able to forecast, to the same…

A detailed analysis and computer-based solution to a puzzle addressing the arrangement of dominoes on a grid is presented. The problem is one used in a college-level data structures or algorithms course. The solution uses backtracking to generate all possible answers. Details of the use of backtracking and techniques for mapping abstract problems…

The dynamic linear model or Kalman filtering model provides a useful methodology for predicting the past, present, and future states of a dynamic system, such as an object in motion or an economic or social indicator that is changing systematically with time. Recursive likelihood methods for adaptive Kalman filtering and smoothing are developed.…

Proposes a quadratic programming, least squares solution to Carroll's weighted unfolding model with nonnegativity constraints imposed on weights. It can be used to test various hypotheses about the weighted unfolding model with or without constraints. (RC)

Commonality analysis is an attempt to understand the relative predictive power of the regressor variables, both individually and in combination. The squared multiple correlation is broken up into elements assigned to each individual regressor and to each possible combination of regressors. The elements have the property that the appropriate sums…

The report, one of a series resulting from a project to design planning procedures for local and State vocational agencies, describes LIONS (Labor and Industry Occupational Needs System), a computer system designed to provide forecasts of the demand for various occupational skills by area for the State of New Jersey. The methodology may have…

Eight factors were studied to determine their relationship to success in a beginning computer science course. Significant correlations were found between the final exam score and reading comprehension, sequence completion, logical reasoning, and algorithmic execution. (Authors/JN)