Describes a study that examined the effectiveness of implied boolean searches using personal author surnames plus first and/or last title words to retrieve an entry from a simulated online public access catalog (OPAC). Implications for the design of OPACs are discussed, and further research is suggested. (LRW)

Illustrates how to use computer simulation models in statistics to study the quality of an estimation procedure and concurrently the subtle concepts of randomness and convergence. Special emphasis is given to the use of graphical representations. (MKR)

Develops and evaluates the linkage of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery to the mathematics scale of the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The accuracy of the proficiency distribution estimated from the projection was close to the accuracy of the distribution estimated from the large scale assessment. (SLD)

Simulated data were used to investigate the impact of characteristics of threshold values (number, symmetry, and distance between adjacent threshold values) and delta values on the distribution of item information in the successive intervals Rasch model. Implications for computerized adaptive attitude measurement are discussed. (SLD)

Computers may someday replace teachers at essay grading. In recent research, a blind test has demonstrated that a computer can simulate the judgment of a group of human judges on a brand-new set of essays. Moreover, the PEG (Project Essay Grade) program can do a better (and more cost-effective) job than the usual two human readers while providing…

The impact of detailed information on closed head injury (CHI) and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) validity scales on malingering psychological symptoms of CHI on the MMPI-2 was studied in an analog experiment with 270 undergraduates. Results suggest the impact of such coaching on simulation of CHI. (SLD)

Examines two methods of conducting an employment interviewing training exercise for interviewees. Compares instructor-facilitated and peer-facilitated exercises specifically. Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each. Concludes that instructor-facilitated training was preferred over peer-facilitated training, and suggests directions for…

British high school students (n=120) participated in a management exercise in which teams prepared a marketing contract, drafted a promotional leaflet in French, and gave a marketing presentation to hotel management. The exercise developed teamwork, decision making, and leadership, as well as other skills valued in the workplace: bilingualism,…

Discusses the current use of simulation and gaming in a variety of settings. Describes advances in technology that facilitate the use of simulation and gaming, including computer power, computer networks, software, object-oriented programming, video, multimedia, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. Considers the future use of simulation…

This document describes the construction/simulation software called Stella which can be used in the investigation of dynamic causal models. Topics considered are its built-in perspective of system dynamics and capabilities, its potential drawbacks, and its cognitive implications for educational applications. (JJK)

This report describes a dental model technique used at the Academy of Health Sciences, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The technique uses Dentoform which provides a realistic set of Ivorine plastic teeth set in rubber "gingivae" upon which operative dentistry, prosthodontics, and limited periodontal scaling can be practiced. (GLR)

Describes an activity for use with a chapter on dinosaurs, prehistoric life, or digestion in which children make simulated dinosaur stomachs to gain hands-on experience about the theory of gastroliths, or stomach stones. Presents teacher information about the digestive processes in birds and dinosaurs. Discusses materials needed, objectives,…

Examines reasons for cataloging backlogs in libraries and describes a preliminary theory of backlog dynamics. Formulas for predicting backlogs are discussed, backlog models are explained, the use of computer simulation software to form models is described, and further research is suggested. (five references) (LRW)

Describes algorithms used in the computer program LOGIMO for obtaining maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters in loglinear models. These algorithms are also useful for the analysis of loglinear item-response theory models. Presents modified versions of the iterative proportional fitting and Newton-Raphson algorithms. Simulated data…

Reviewed transition to work life literature and interviewed 5 youth counselors and 14 youths regarding their views of transition process, barriers to successful transitions, characteristics of successful transitions, and meaning of work. Both groups consistently identified employment skills, employer characteristics, and social support as…