Implemented a Bayesian factor analysis model to formulate estimators of the hyper-parameters. Simulation results lead to the proposal of new bias-corrected estimates of factor loadings. (SLD)

Studied the use of different weighting techniques in structural equation modeling and found, through simulation, that the use of an effective sample size weight provides unbiased estimates of key parameters and their sampling variances. Also discusses use of a popular normalization technique of scaling weights. (SLD)

Discussion of information overload focuses on a study of masters degree students at a Hong Kong university that investigated the effectiveness of graphs as decision aids to reduce adverse effects of information overload on decision quality. Results of a simulation of a business prediction task with a sample of business managers are presented.…

A Monte Carlo simulation examined the Type I error rates and power of four tests of the null hypothesis that a correlation matrix equals the identity matrix. The procedure of C. J. Brien and others (1984) was found to be the most powerful test maintaining stable empirical alpha values. (SLD)

Examines the literature on marketing and uses the four elements of product, price, place, and promotion to elicit guidance for those who wish to market educational games, simulations, and workshops. Devising a marketing strategy centered on the customer is discussed, and the distinction between goods and services is described. (11 references)…

A general dichotomous condition is derived for the unidimensional polytomous Rasch model. The robustness of the dichotomous analysis is investigated in a simulation study. The model shows a close relation with the two-parameter Birnbaum model. (TJH)

Presents a student simulation activity based on the dideoxy chain termination method of determining the nucleotide sequence of DNA fragments developed in 1977 by Fred Sanger. (JRH)

A similarity-based smoothing approach to nondimensional item analysis was studied. Simulated and actual data are presented to show that when responses are determined by a latent ability variable, this similarity-based smoothing procedure can reveal the dimensionality of ability satisfactorily. (SLD)

Presents a simulation game that facilitates understanding of the concepts of enzyme kinetics and inhibition. The first part of the game deals with the relationship between enzyme activity and substrate concentration while the second part deals with characterization of competitive and noncompetitive inhibition of enzyme activity. (JRH)

Proposes a new lock primitive called ordered sharing that allows increased concurrency in database systems. Reliability and performance issues of the proposed protocol are addressed, a simulation study that demonstrates that ordered sharing results in improved performance in database systems is described; and use in several representative database…

A general delta method is described for computing the standard error (SE) of a chain of linear equations. The general delta method derives the SEs directly from the moments of the score distributions obtained in the equating chain. Computer simulations demonstrate the method. (SLD)

The power of randomization tests was systematically examined through simulation for typical designs that rely on the random assignment of interventions within the observation sequence. A 30-observation AB design, 32-observation AB design, and multiple baseline AB (15 observations on 4 individuals) were studied. Power estimates were generally found…

Discusses the process of debriefing following a simulation game and the role of the facilitator in debriefing. Guidelines, including specific activities and questions the facilitator might ask, are suggested for the three phases of debriefing--description, analogy/analysis, and application. (MES)

A simulation study was conducted to determine whether latent class model parameters are recovered adequately by Latent Transition Analysis (LTA). Results indicate that parameter recovery is satisfactory overall and that the benefits of adding indicators outweigh the costs. Additional indicators also improve standard errors. An example of LTA is…

Describes and reports the evaluation of an innovative teaching technique designed as a semester-long exercise in which simulated families, composed of 23 master's students, experience divorce and remarriage. Provides results from quantitative and qualitative analyses which suggest that the technique was successful in sensitizing students to the…