This report describes the principal findings and recommendations of a 2-year Rand research project on machine-aided knowledge acquisition and discusses the transfer of expertise from humans to machines, as well as the functions of planning, debugging, knowledge refinement, and autonomous machine learning. The relative advantages of humans and…

Developed and demonstrated here is the design of interface systems for cost-effective communication of the user with the computerized operations research procedures. The concentration is in the area of interfacing methods for implementing the optimization techniques of mathematical programing. Emphasis is given to flexibility of accessing the…

In a very short time, data processing has grown from virtually nothing to a position of great importance in the technical scientific system of civilization in the Federal Republic of Germany. Both the public and private sectors have contributed significantly to this expansion. Research and development have now reached large proportions. Thus there…

The results of a study addressing the problems of the management information system of the State University System of Florida are discussed. It is suggested that a majority of the problems did not reside in software and hardware applications but in general management practices. Recommendations are also included. (SF)

The most time consuming and expensive step in developing expert systems is knowledge acquisition (KA), and it is important to determine how the limited resources for acquiring knowledge should be allocated across different sources. This paper develops a model that determines how KA resources should be spent and how such a model may be used. (23…

METRO II, a regional metropolitan computer consortium, was developed to provide for joint computer services in five school districts with a combined population of 150,000 students. To effect this consortium approach, each of the districts, already with sophisticated EDP, must analyze current systems and project its anticipated needs to fit the…

Describes computer assisted-videodisc systems recently installed in Central Africa and discusses pertinent issues surrounding interactive videodiscs, including system and training developments and a four-part assessment and development procedure which includes cost, stimuli, environmental and fidelity considerations, the development team,…

The needs and problems of the small college or university management information system are discussed through the experiences of a small midwestern university. It is suggested that technological advancements in software and minicomputers will improve the systems development capabilities of small institutions. (Author/BH)

The findings of a CAUSE survey of institutions of higher education that are either currently using or have used a database management system are presented. In addition to demographic information, other issues addressed are: management implications, systems concepts, systems development, personnel, operational considerations and prospects for the…

The Public Access Library System (PALS), a two-way cable television system for the delivery of community information, was developed by the staff of the Pasadena Public Library working with a consultant under a 1-year Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) grant. The objectives of the project were to: (1) identify six potential databases that…

A major information systems planning study undertaken by Boston University and recommendations that were made to enable the university to meet the new demands and changing priorities of educational management are discussed. (BH)

The planning, design, and implementation of an information system at Pepperdine University in California is described. The difficulties of total redesign and new programing of a management information system are explained and recommendations for this process are made. (BH)

The major information systems at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University are described. The use of the feedback and feedforward controls in planning and projecting administrative functions is examined. (Author/BH)

A simulation system capable of supporting human factors experiments in the development of military training devices is described. The first phase of the study consisted of (1) a review of tasks performed by the operators of different types of military simulation systems, (2) an analysis of problems experienced in the development of devices for…

The design and implementation of an integrated financial control system at Clemson University are described. The advantages of considering the integration of systems to meet university-wide objectives as design criteria are discussed as well as sub-system relationships. (Author/BH)