A study was conducted by the Air Force to determine the extent to which takeoff/landing skills learned in a simulator equipped with a night visual system would transfer to daytime performance in the aircraft. A transfer-of-training design was used to assess the differential effectiveness of simulator training with a day versus a night…

Investigates the value of applying principles derived from simulated annealing to clustering tuples in database design, and compares this technique with a graph-collapsing clustering method. It is concluded that, while the new method does give superior results, the expense involved in algorithm run time is prohibitive. (24 references) (CLB)

New methods for comparing the medians corresponding to independent treatment groups are suggested. Procedures are based on the estimator of F. Harrell and C. Davis in conjunction with a modification and extension of the bootstrap calibration technique suggested by W. Loh. Data from two groups provide an illustration. (SLD)

In a simulation study, factor analysis and multidimensional item response theory (IRT) models are compared with respect to estimates of item parameters. For multidimensional data, a common factor analysis on the matrix of tetrachoric correlations performs at least as well as the multidimensional IRT model. (SLD)

Comparisons were made of attitudes and behavior between single- and multiperson teams in business simulation games. Multiperson games gave rise to higher initial goals for business success, but lower individual feelings of responsibility for outcome. (CMV)

The Random Normal Scores Test (RNST) has been suggested as a powerful alternative to the use of the parametric analysis of variance (ANOVA) test when the underlying population is non-normally distributed. The major support for this suggestion rests on asymptotic theory. An empirical analysis of the RNST performed under the F and Chi-square…

Clarifies appropriateness of certain simulation approaches by distinguishing between different types of simulations--experimental, predictive, evaluative, and educational--on the basis of purpose, assumptions, procedures, and criteria for evaluating. The kinds of questions each type best responds to are discussed. (65 references) (MBR)

Ignorance of the characteristics of a mixed population may lead to bias in a summary measure of a phenomenon. A test based on sample kurtosis is demonstrated by a simulation study to be more powerful than six other known tests in detecting a class of mixed normal distributions. (SLD)

Assesses effects of a popular simulation game on attitudes of ethnocentrism and dogmatism in college students. Review of the game, its relationship to an educational philosophy course, background research, problems in assessing effects of games, and methods and outcomes of this study are discussed. Nine references and appendices are provided. (EJS)

Describes a study focusing on different presentation methods (pairs of students; entire class; and noncomputer list game-type setting) of a computer-based science simulation to sixth-grade students to determine the most beneficial method for student achievement. Results indicate large group instruction is slightly more beneficial. (MBR)

Discussion of how we perceive meaning from graphics highlights a computer simulation model, UCIE (Understanding Cognitive Information Engineering), that simulates graphical perception. An empirical study is described that compared actual performance to UCIE predictions related to the amount of time required to answer a question in various…

Discussion of computer simulations used for exploratory learning focuses on the design of a hypothesis scratchpad that students can use for hypothesis generation and testing. An experiment with college chemistry students that compared three versions of the scratchpad is described, and the effect of the scratchpads on learning environments is…

A study was conducted to assess effectiveness of a computer simulation which exposed students to three levels of real-life research situations as laboratory experience accompanying graduate level research design course. Simulation effects on achievement, perceived research competence, interest in research, and effects of differing amounts of…

Describes a rigorously controlled study comparing university students' perceptions of learning from a business simulation and from cases in a business policy course. Results indicate students perceive both cases and simulations as viable and valuable instructional methods, although cases are perceived to be generally superior to simulations. (MBR)

An adaptive testing strategy is described for achievement tests covering multiple content areas. The strategy combines adaptive item selection both within and between the subtests in the multiple-subtest battery. A real-data simulation was conducted to compare the results from adaptive testing and from conventional testing, in terms of test…