These materials were written with the aim of reflecting the thinking of the Cambridge Conference on School Mathematics (CCSM) regarding the goals and objectives for school mathematics. They represent a practical response to a proposal by CCSM that some elements of probability be introduced in the elementary grades. These materials provide children…

An empirical sampling study investigated six procedures for testing differences between means in the presence of unequal n's and variances. Support was obtained for previous research which found t robust to heterogeneous variances only when n's are equal and of moderate size. The procedure which emerged as providing the best control over Type I…

The design of a series of planning games is outlined. The purpose of the games is to convey an appreciation of the variety of possible futures and to indicate both how the occurrence of some events may affect the probability of occurrence of others and how much of a role chance may play, as opposed to deliberate intervention by the players, in…

Various factors which influence the relationship between the Rasch item characteristic curve and the actual performance of an item are identified. The Rasch item characteristic curve is a new concept in test design and analysis. The Rasch test model provides information concerning the percent of students with a specified achievement level who…

Frequency, rank, and frequency rank distributions are defined. Extensive discussion on several aspects of frequency rank distributions includes the Poisson process as a means of exploring the stability of ranks; the correlation of frequency rank distributions; and the transfer coefficient, a new measure in frequency rank distribution. (MBR)

Tukey's scheme for finding separations in univariate data strings is described and tested. It is found that one can use the size of a data gap coupled with its ordinal position in the distribution to determine the likelihood of its having arisen by chance. (Author/JKS)

A distinction between two classes of problems used in laboratory studies of judgment and inference phenomena is made. The distinction is relevant to both single-cue probability learning and multiple cue probability learning within the linear lens model paradigm. (Author/JKS)

In this paper, the author gives a review of the literature on complex multivariate distributions. Some new results on these distributions are also given. Finally, the author discusses the applications of the complex multivariate distributions in the area of the inference on multiple time series. (Author)

Considers the problem of risk-equivalence of two statistical procedures for statistical decision problems. The crucial argument is based on rewriting risk-equivalence in terms of Choquet's integral representation theorem. It is shown that for certain special cases that do not fulfill the assumptions of the Main Theorem, risk-equivalence holds at…

Proposes a probabilistic mechanism to describe various forms of the Bradford phenomenon reported in bibliographic research. The inclusion of a time parameter in the model to allow predictions of dynamic systems is explained. (58 references) (CLB)

The purpose of this paper is to calculate the upper limit of the correlation between normal and dichotomous variables. An empirically obtained correlation should be evaluated in view of this limit, instead of the usual limit of Pearson correlation. (Author)

Investigated the effects of different types of risk information in a simulated decision-making task to test the predictions of protection motivation theory. College students (N=226) completed the task. Results showed outcome severity, efficacy of protection, and access to protection were related to protective decisions. (BH)

The fact that a group may subdivide into smaller subgroups is examined in the light of probability theory. (Author)

Concept map structure, testing, and scoring methods are discussed and a new scoring methodology is introduced using the breadth and depth of individual concept maps. The scoring method proposed here provides advantages of grading "on a curve" such as the ability to estimate and compare the complexity of different concept maps, the ability to…

The characteristic shape of the normal distribution, one hump and two tails, is discussed. The reasoning is based on variation, combinations, probability, and logarithms. The purpose is to be able to answer some of the "whys" students might ask. (LS)