Using simulated data, the MULTILOG and PARSCALE software packages were compared for their recovery of item and trait parameters under the graded response and generalized partial credit item response theory models. The shape of the latent population distribution (normal, skewed, or uniform) and the sample size (250 or 500) were varied. Parameter…

This book is combined with a Web site to allow the reader to acquire the basic concepts of item response theory without becoming enmeshed in the underlying mathematical and computational complexities. The first edition, with its accompanying software, was designed to give the reader access to the basic concepts of item response theory without…

This report presents basic theoretical and methodological assumptions for investigating the relationship between competence and qualifications by means of simulation tasks. An analysis of the types of tasks that have been used in the study of problem solving psychology serves as a background for an exposition of the relationship between competence…

The least mean squares (LS) regression method produced the best linear unbiased estimates under the normal error distribution. However, many researchers have noted that the optimal condition is rarely met in real data analyses. To remedy the impact of potential data contamination, several advantages of the least median squares (LMS) regression are…

This paper studied how individual qualitative researchers perceive that their research procedures and perspectives have been influenced by the adoption of computer assisted qualitative data software. The study focused on Nud*Ist software (non-numerical Unstructured Data; Indexing, Searching, and Theorizing). The seven participants ranged from new…

Problem solving is of critical importance in many disciplines. In medicine, the clinician's ability to arrive at the correct diagnosis often means the difference between life and death. Despite its importance and a significant amount of research regarding how to improve problem solving, few unambiguous answers have emerged for promoting problem…

Predictive discriminant analysis and descriptive discriminant analysis are described, and the use of three popular statistical packages to obtain computational results for each type of discriminant analysis is reviewed. Results from two Biomedical Computer Program (BMDP), four Statistical Analysis System, and two Statistical Package for the Social…

A Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program is described that computes four common clustering measures used to analyze free recall of information from categorized lists. Computed are a ratio of repetition, a modified ratio of repetition, an adjusted ratio of clustering, and a deviation score for stimulus lists. (SLD)

Accessibility and accuracy are important attributes for either manual or electronic support tools. Training with performance support tools will fail if it uses the same approach, only electronic; has no mechanism for keeping content up to date; and is not integrated with the job. (SK)

Allegheny College (Pennsylvania), which uses NeXT computers, was dismayed when the technically superior operating system was orphaned but are now delighted that the company has been bought by Apple Computer and will make the operating system standard on Apple computers. The object-oriented operating system allows relatively unsophisticated users…

Discussion of automated information services focuses on information classification and collaborative agents, i.e. intelligent computer programs. Highlights include multi-agent systems; distributed artificial intelligence; thesauri; document representation and classification; agent modeling; acquaintances, or remote agents discovered through…

Describes the experiences of librarians at Lehigh University in implementing campus-wide use of EndNote, a citation management software package that allows users to create a searchable library of downloaded or manually entered references for any type of publication to be able to insert citations and format footnotes or endnotes within a…

Describes Document Style Semantics and Specification Language (DSSSL), an international standard for the formatting and processing of SGML documents. Outlines DSSSL structure as the key to enabling interchange of formatting information in a standardized non-proprietary format, the processing model, areas of standardization, and DSSSL language.…

Describes the development and maintenance of the Association of Teachers of Technical Writing's (ATTW) Web site for course syllabi ranging from communication theory to Web design at Texas Tech University. Examines the rationale behind a central site; site design issues; updating method; and software used--Rich Text Format (RTF), RTFtoHTML, Fetch…

Electronic performance support systems (EPSS) can be used as a nucleus of a network fostering organizational learning within an organization. Presents a model for EPSS; explores three facets of the model: knowledge management, system design and individual behavior, and electronic communication. Outlines studies of computer use in the workplace.…