A computational method for weighted euclidean distance scaling (a method of multidimensional scaling) which combines aspects of an "analytic" solution with an approach using loss functions is presented. (Author/JKS)

The results substantiate Williamson's hypothesis that the M-form of organization is superior to the U-form of organization. For each of the two levels of decomposability of technology, the M-form yields higher profit solutions than the U-form. (Author/IRT)

Presents a stochastic model and subsequent risk analysis that should enable an administrator to evaluate an incentive contract. A numerical illustration points out the types of issues that can be addressed by the model. (Author/IRT)

This first of two related reports by the same authors presents a generalized theory of the information flow process that establishes quantitative definitions for and relationships among quantity of information, value of information, effectiveness of information, decision-maker effectiveness, and decision-maker performance. Eighteen references are…

Detailed reanalyses of data reported in Studies in Educational Evaluation: Monograph No. 1 by Y. Kashti and Monograph No. 5 by U. Kattmann, 1979, were performed using an explicitly structurally oriented approach via target analysis (PINDIS). Results contradict those reached by Kashti and Kattmann. (RL)

In this study of 547 high school graduates, Alderfer's and Maslow's need hierarchy theories were expressed in Markov chain form and were subjected to empirical test. Both models were disconfirmed. Corroborative multiwave correlational analysis also failed to support the need hierarchy concept. (Author/IRT)

Two applications of Kristof's theorem on traces of matrix products are presented in order to highlight their utility for psychometric theory and studies. (Author/JKS)

The IR systems are faced with a need to manage fuzziness and not merely to react to fuzziness. Fuzzy set theory can be used to model the indexing and retrieval processes. (BD)

Within the beta-binomial Bayesian framework, procedures are described for the evaluation of the kappa index of reliability on the basis of one administration of a domain-referenced test. Major factors affecting this index include cutoff score, test score variability and test length. Empirical data which substantiate some theoretical trends deduced…

A number of different reliability coefficients have recently been proposed for tests used to differentiate between groups such as masters and nonmasters. One promising index is the proportion of students in a class that are consistently assigned to the same mastery group across two testings. The present paper proposes a single test administration…

Suggests a framework for evaluation studies, discusses possible classifications of evaluation studies, and makes a distinction between evaluation and policy studies. The possible uses of evaluation studies are shown as they relate to kinds of decisions and the organizational framework in which decision-making takes place. (Author/IRT)

Methods for studying relationships between patterns of change on different variables are considered, showing how the multilevel modeling framework, often used to study univariate change, can be extended to the multivariate case to yield estimates of covariances of parameters representing aspects of change for different variables. (SLD)

Two competing longitudinal models, the latent growth curve model and the Simplex model, are used to represent the Matthew effect hypothesis (K. Stanovich, 1986) that the gap between good and poor readers increases with time. Theoretical and empirical arguments support the Simplex model, although it is argued that it should be refined and…

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…

The use of analogy in human thinking is examined from the perspective of a multiconstraint theory that postulates similarity, structure, and purpose as three kinds of constraints. The theory has been implemented in computational simulations of the analogical human mind using the Analogical Mapping by Constraint Satisfaction (ACME) model. (SLD)