A rudimentary description of Markov Chains is presented in order to introduce its use to describe and to predict authors' movements among subareas of the discipline of ethnomusicology. Other possible applications are suggested. (Author)

Making use of statistical analytical methods, the authors examine the systematic tendency toward disappointment that results from decision making generally and argue that such disappointment is built in structurally to the process of decision making itself. (Author/JBM)

Discusses Guttman's index of indeterminacy in light of alternative solutions which are equally likely to be correct and alternative solutions for the factor which are not equally likely to be chosen. Offers index which measures a different aspect of the same indeterminacy problem. (ROF)

This paper asserts that causality is an intriguing but controversial topic in philosophy, statistics, and educational and psychological research. By supporting the Causal Markov Condition and the faithfulness condition, Clark Glymour attempted to draw causal inferences from structural equation modeling. According to Glymour, in order to make…

In judgmental standard setting experiments, it may be difficult to specify subjective probabilities that adequately take the properties of the items into account. As a result, these probabilities are not consistent with each other in the sense that they do not refer to the same borderline level of performance. Methods to check standard setting…

The Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) addresses issues pertaining to prevention of placement in the child welfare system, as well as family reunification, the specific provisions of ASFA that relate to the termination of parental rights and adoption are perhaps most central to the law's overarching purpose. This paper analyzes adoptions from…

This Research Brief highlights key findings from a study that examined the labor market attachment of male dropouts who obtained the GED credential in Florida between 1994 and 1998. I compared these credentialed dropouts to the men who attempted, but failed, the GED exam during the same period. Credentialed dropouts had a higher probability of…

Probability is more increasingly recognized as a priority in elementary school. In this article, the author argues that if students have a strong understanding of experimental probability, notions of theoretical probability will be easier for the student to understand. In particular, students need extensive experience with experiments using…

D. Robinson and J. Levin (1997) proposed what they called a two-step procedure for analyzing statistical data in which researchers first evaluate the probability of an observed effect statistically (i.e., statistical significance), and, if and only if, it can be concluded that the underlying finding is too improbable to be due to chance, then they…

Develops search patterns for locating an object which may be in one of several locations. (JP)

Theorems concerning the probability of the appearance of certain digits in a numeral are stated and proved. (DT)

Using the computer to calculate the probability that a quadratic equation will factor over the integers is discussed. (DT)

Paper presents derivations of expressions for functions for any absorbing Markov-chain model. (Author)

Models from evolutionary theory and inbreeding analysis are used to illustrate applications of probability, statistics, sequences, calculus, and matrix theory to genetics. (MM)

Discusses a major question in the philosophy of science and reviews two textbooks intended for introductory courses, Scientific Research I, and Scientific Research II, by Mario Bunge. (MF)