Reviews three areas of knowledge needed to select an appropriate needs assessment strategy: (1) the criteria for selecting the method, (2) nine needs assessment methods, and (3) a means of categorizing methods. Provides an example of an assessment activity conducted in a small rural hospital. (LRA)

The Portsmouth (Virginia) school district, through its computerized energy management system, has saved money in energy use and also reduced manpower and maintenance expenses. (MLF)

Discusses four approaches to assessing training effectiveness and efficiency: resource requirement models, life cycle models, benefits models, and productivity models. Examines different ways of addressing the cost/benefits issue which could be useful in a particular training situation. Each model is analyzed in detail. (CT)

By installing a computerized energy management system in only four of its schools, the Portsmouth (Virginia) school district has cut its electrical use 23 percent. (Author/MLF)

Provides a descriptive 10-step format to be used for conveying some basic concepts of instructional technology to clients, and for focusing the consultant-client interaction, both during initial project definition and throughout project implementation. (Author/MER)

The role and function of mental health professionals as they interact with other faculty on a college campus is examined. (JD)

The application of nonequilibrium thermodynamics could lead to new ways of understanding social processes. (BB)

Describes a collection of systematic theory-based analyses of a system prototype that inherited its control mechanisms from preexisting systems. Demonstrates that collective use of system and user modeling techniques provides insight into a complex design problem, enabling the examination of design decisions for users and implementation. Discusses…

Describes how the instructional systems program at Florida State University has responded to the changes that are required to expand its orientation from instructional technology to performance technology. Changes in several existing courses and the implementation of two new courses in performance systems analysis and electronic performance…

In a role-playing approach to an information systems analysis and design course, students are familiarized with the needs of designers, decision makers, and system users by assuming these roles. The approach increases awareness of process, is flexible, and exposes students to the team approach. (SK)

Examines the reference transaction in library and information science from the perspective of systems analysis, identifies 15 functional requirements of the process, proposes criteria to measure success, illustrates the process using four diagrams of the reference transaction, and suggests future research. (Author/LRW)

In China, 24 undergraduate business students applied data flow diagrams (DFD) to a mini-case, and 20 used object-oriented analysis (OOA). DFD seemed easier to learn, but after training, those using the OOA method for systems analysis made fewer errors. (SK)

A classification and taxonomy are used to analyze responses from systems analysts in real-world situations. Systems analysts were given a questionnaire in attempt to: (1) determine whether requirements descriptor terms are created and used in real world situations so that they might classify domain processes and objects; (2) if terms are used, try…

Methodological implications of a person-oriented, holistic-interactionistic perspective in research on individual development are outlined, desirable properties of a mathematical model of a phenomenon are discussed, and selected methods for carrying out person-oriented research are briefly overviewed. These methods are: (1) the classificatory…

Information systems (IS) process modeling using the technique of Data Flow Diagramming (viz., Systems Analysis) can be defined as a complex task for IS designers. This study draws from the domains of educational psychology and organizational behavior in examining the training of novices in conceptual process modeling. Specifically, an experiment…