On the basis of earlier findings, we (Fiedler & Kareev, 2006) presented a statistical decision model that explains the conditions under which small samples of information about choice alternatives inform more correct choices than large samples. Such a small-sample advantage (SSA) is predicted for choices, not estimations. It is contingent on high…

Entropy, a concept derived from thermodynamics and information theory, describes the amount of uncertainty and disorder within a system. Self-organizing systems engage in a continual dialogue with the environment and must adapt themselves to changing circumstances to keep internal entropy at a manageable level. We propose the entropy model of…

Elwin, Juslin, Olsson, and Enkvist (2007) and Henriksson, Elwin, and Juslin (2010) offered the constructivist coding hypothesis to describe how people code the outcomes of their decisions when availability of feedback is conditional on the decision. They provided empirical evidence only for the 0.5 base rate condition. This commentary argues that…

Makes the case that the effectiveness of the use of information systems (IS) in an organization depends on an evolving understanding of the nature of IS value and that the speed of this organization is, in large part, a function of organizational and IS leadership. Analyzes the role of leadership and its relationship to the concept of absorptive…

Refines the basic entity model of information theory and extends it to analyze mathematically the physical symbol transformation characteristics, as well as energy-matter and cognition phenomena occurring in the human mind. Reviews existing theories; examines physical symbol subsystem, cognitive perspective, energy-matter subsystem; and discusses…

Discussion of information and information retrieval focuses on the connection between a calculus defined on channels and information retrieval, and proposes a model of an information retrieval system based on this calculus. Topics include conditionality, situation theory, the flow of information, channel theory, and four principles for an…

Applied graduate programs in Communication are recommended as a desirable alternative for the future. Advantages of such programs are outlined and potential problems discussed. The Instructional Communication program at West Virginia University is described as an example of a successful applied graduate program. (JMF)

Discussion of abstracting systems focuses on the paradigm concept and identifies and explains four paradigms: communicational, or information theory; physical, including information retrieval; cognitive, including information processing and artificial intelligence; and systemic, including quality management. Emphasizes multidimensionality and…

Argues that environmental education in this information age requires a shift from a paradigm of "information technology" to a paradigm of "information critique." Provides a perspective on the form of this paradigm shift in the area of professional development. (TW)

Explores problems in information sharing; discusses the concept of metadata; illustrates its use on the World Wide Web, as well as other related approaches; and presents an approach to information sharing that uses a semantic modeling language (referent model language) as the basis for expressing semantics of information and designing metadata…

Discusses knowledge, organization, and the organization and representation of knowledge. Addresses the relevance of international auxiliary languages as problems of development and use of special sign systems. Argues that--for computer realization of intellectual processes by modeling, not imitation--the psychological mechanisms of human memory…

Describes an approximate document ranking process that uses a compact array of in-memory, low-precision approximations for document length. Combined with another rule for reducing the memory required by partial similarity accumulators, the approximation heuristic allows the ranking of large document collections using less than one byte of memory…

The penetration of computer and telecommunications technology into daily life has resulted in a paradigm shift from an industrial to a post-industrial society. That has created a fourth "generation" of media--hypermedia--to go with the previous three of speech, print, and video. Hypermedia is said to be the only generation that is…

This study is designed to help provide an understanding of the role semiosis plays in information processes. The object of study is the structure of various types of signs, and a determination of the relationship between sign structure and information properties. A review of the theory of sign structure is followed by an examination of syntactic…

Reviews education research on general design principles and concepts, including perception/communications theories and learning principles. Media research is also reviewed. Based on this past research, a model is proposed for the design of video displays in an interactive videodisc (IVD) instructional program. (AEF)