Forty-eight participants read one of three texts (high explanatory, low explanatory, and standard) that varied in the degree of explanation of basic concepts of elementary probability. Performance test data showed that participants in the high-explanatory test condition did equally well on both formula and story problems. (Author/LC)

Presents and discusses the results of research into similarity measures for search request formulations which employ Boolean combinations of index terms. The use of a weighting mechanism to indicate the importance of attributes in a search formulation is described. A 16-item reference list is included. (JL)

A novel solution to the statistical problems in an evaluation of rare events is described. The significance of variations in the number of child homicides is analyzed in a binary time series of "active" months for monitoring future incidence and related systemic events. (Author/CM)

Results show that the proposed sampling distribution of the test appears to be appropriate only for sample sizes above 50, and for data where the sample size is 10 times the number of variables. For such cases the power of the test is found to be fairly low. (Author/RL)

Notes that utility theory has enjoyed renewed interest among debate critics and other decision makers. Some of the problems with its application are identified and guidelines for debaters are suggested. (PD)

A modified beta binomial model is presented for use in analyzing random guessing multiple choice tests and taste tests. Detection probabilities for each item are distributed beta across the population subjects. Properties for the observable distribution of correct responses are derived. Two concepts of true score estimates are presented.…

Weber contends that the use of Rasch analysis, principal components analysis, and classical test analysis shows that an instrument designed to measure a "bilevel dimensionality" in probability achievement measures a single latent trait. That interpretation and the use of Rasch and classical analysis to establish unidimensionality are…

Outlines a model of decision making known to researchers in the field of behavioral decision theory (BDT) as subjective expected utility (SEU). The descriptive and predictive validity of the SEU model, probability and values assessment using SEU, and decision contexts are examined, and a 54-item reference list is provided. (JL)

Retrieval experiments with the Cranfield collection of 1,400 documents used strategies based on a probabilistic model for an initial search and intermediate search when no relevant documents were known. Results show initial strategy is better than conventional strategies in retrieval effectiveness and number of queries needed to retrieve…

Two studies investigated the possibility that assessment of confidence is biased by attempts to justify chosen answers. These attempts include selectively focusing on evidence supporting the chosen answer and disregarding contradictory evidence. Results suggest that confidence depends on the amount and strength of evidence supporting the answer…

Presents a theory of debate as a comparison of policy systems, a theory which satisfies the unique speech act requirements of discussing policy proposals. Describes the basic model and illustrates it by reference to the interpretation of "should" propositions and the analysis of burdens of proof. (JMF)

There was a significant decrease in the difference between observed and expected probabilities over the first 30 words following a stutter. Also, the two adult Ss initially increased their stuttering rate. Findings supported a combination of the anxiety and feedback models of A. W. Still and C. A. Sherrard. (Author/DLS)

Discusses the importance of a knowledge of basic statistical concepts for a librarian's education, and the problem of implementing such an introductory course. Two class exercises dealing with sampling and probability and the Central Limit Theorem are described, and 11 references are included. (BK)

The influence of frequency of occurrence of a visual stimulus on encoding processes is investigated, to discover what mechanisms allow cognitive processes to modify perceptual processes. Six experiments are described and the results are discussed. (MH)

Suggests that argument be seen as a private cognitive phenomenon, in contrast to the more traditional view of argument as a public message-based document. Differences between the views are noted and the respects in which argument creates and depends on cognitive order are discussed. (JMF)