Many researchers, including Buriel (EJ 187 987), incorrectly compared the results in each study with null hypotheses of zero differences between means or zero population correlations. Instead, a test of difference between the mean differences in the two samples or the direct comparison of the two sample correlations is required. (Author/CP)

Power analysis is in essence a technique for estimating the probability of obtaining a specific minimum observed effect size. Power analysis techniques are applied to research planning problems in test reliability studies. A table for use in research planning and hypothesis testing is presented. (Author)

McNemar's discussion of error reduction in a mixed two-group design fails to provide an algebraic presentation of this error reduction. This paper presents not only the algebraic development of the error term but shows that under certain conditions mixing may increase experimental error. (Author)

Proposes a mathematical model using the probability formalism to explain why a geometrical law is observed in distributions related to library circulation data. Highlights include techniques based on convolution theory; Lotka's law; and Bradford's law. (Author/LRW)

Formulates rules for adapting the appropriate amount of instruction to learning needs in computerized adaptive instructional systems. The framework is derived from Bayesian decision theory and the procedures are demonstrated for the problem of determining the optimal number of interrogatory examples for concept learning in the Minnesota Adaptive…

Discussion of the assessment and comparison of scientific journals, bibliometrics, and types of impact factors focuses on a general framework for the relative comparison of journal impact. Highlights include the relative impact of a journal within a set of journals, or meta-journal; and mathematical explorations of relative indicators. (Author/LRW)

Proposes a fuzzy multiset model for information clustering with application to information retrieval on the World Wide Web. Highlights include search engines; term clustering; document clustering; algorithms for calculating cluster centers; theoretical properties concerning clustering algorithms; and examples to show how the algorithms work.…

Describes a direct linear relation between the number of articles in a journal and the journal's impact factor. Hypotheses are presented; theoretical considerations are discussed; and results are described that show exceptions for review journals and translation journals, as well as for journals in mathematics and chemistry. (Author/LRW)

Develops the theory for a stochastic model for the citation process in the presence of obsolescence to predict the future citation pattern of individual papers in a collection. Shows that the expected number of future citations is a linear function of the current number, interpreted as an example of a success-breeds-success phenomenon. (Author/LRW)

Criticizes the use of Pearson's correlation coefficient in author cocitation analysis (ACA), a technique used to analyze the intellectual structure of a given scientific field, and sets forth two natural requirements that a similarity measure applied in ACA should satisfy. Uses real and hypothetical data to obtain counterexamples to both…

Explains Type/Token-Taken informetrics as a new part of informetrics that studies the use of items rather than the items themselves. Highlights include the frequency distribution of Type/Token-Taken informetrics; the Lotka frequency law; linguistics; a comparison of Type/Token with Type/Token-Taken informetrics; and proofs of theorems. (Author/LRW)

Discusses chaos theory; linear algebraic equations and the numerical solution of polynomials, including the use of the Newton-Raphson technique to find polynomial roots; fractals; search region and coordinate systems; convergence; and generating color fractals on a computer. (LRW)

Challenges Smolensky's theory that human intuitive/nonconscious cognitive processes can only be accurately explained in terms of subsymbolic computations in artificial neural networks. Symbolic learning models of two cognitive tasks involving nonconscious acquisition of information are presented: learning production rules and artificial finite…

Presents calculations after discussing exponential growth that deal with the determination of the time of exhaustion at different rates of consumption. (PR)

Discusses user preferences for the representation, interpretation, and measurement of the relevance or usefulness of retrieved documents. Highlights include measurement of user judgments on documents; distance between rankings; measures of retrieval effectiveness; normalized performance measure; and the relationship of distance-based measures to…