The methodology, assumptions, and values viewed here are emergent factors that can provide the framework for a thriving new discipline. That the limits of the rational-man theory are beginning to be recognized is evidenced by considerable methodological flexibility and increased interests in personal, self-actualizing aspects of organizations.…

This paper attempts to articulate some of the basic theoretical assumptions underlying functionalism, by viewing some of the major historical chapters in the development of modern functionalist theory, and by placing the theory in a longer historical perspective. Historical continuities are argued between Durkheim and Parsons, and between Durkheim…

This study introduces the concept of Fault Tree Analysis as a systems tool and examines the implications of Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) as a technique for isolating failure modes in educational systems. A definition of FTA and discussion of its history, as it relates to education, are provided. The step by step process for implementation and use of…

The methods, procedures, and results of a sensitivity test on NETMAN, a stochastic digital computer model designed to simulate the information collection and scoring control systems used in tactical warfare training exercises, are described. NETMAN enables its users to obtain information such as personnel requirements, training requirements, and…

This study examines automatic indexing performed with a manually constructed thesaurus on a document collection of titles and abstracts of library science master's papers. Errors are identified when the meaning of a posted descriptor, as identified by context in the thesaurus, does not match that of the passage of text which occasioned the…

This report describes an experimental system for drawing simple pictures on a computer graphics terminal using natural language input. The system is capable of drawing lines, points, and circles on command from the user, as well as answering questions about system capabilities and objects on the screen. Erasures are permitted and language input…

This paper describes the SIGGS Theory Model as it applies to educational systems. This model, designed to simulate a wide variety of systems, uses sets (S), information (I), graph theory (G), and general systems (GS). The educational system is viewed as a set; in one example this set consists of teacher, student, curriculum, and setting. This…

This report describes the background, selection, planning, conduct, and evaluation of the ten research training presessions, serving 402 educational researchers, conducted by the American Educational Research Association from 26 February to 2 March 1970 prior to its annual meeting in Minneapolis. Topics of the sessions were 1) Survey Research in…

Long-range planning involves the identification of priority programs and services and the detailing of the necessary resources (staff, equipment, facilities and materials) required to implement these programs and services. This report discusses what is involved in this process and provides a fundamental understanding of the following three basic…

Systems concepts are useful in rethinking and reorganizing the structure of education. The author presents a popular interpretation of the systems approach to problem solving. He uses a general systems theory to compare the attributes of a school system and a computer system. He uses the idea of a critical subsystem to prepare a table of…

General systems theory is a set of related definitions, assumptions, and propositions which deal with reality as an integrated hierarchy of organizations of matter and energy. In this paper, the author defines the concepts of space, time, matter, energy, and information in terms of their meaning in general systems theory. He defines a system as a…