In educational data mining (EDM), preprocessing is an arduous and complex task and must promote an appropriate treatment of data to solve each specific educational problem. In the same way, the parameters used in the evaluation of postprocessing results are decisive in the interpretation of the results and decision-making in the future. These two…

Researchers use many different metrics for evaluation of performance of student models. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of commonly used metrics, to discuss properties, advantages, and disadvantages of different metrics, to summarize current practice in educational data mining, and to provide guidance for evaluation of student…

This issue of "Assessment Update" presents the following articles: (1) Expectations for Assessment Reports: A Descriptive Analysis (Keston H. Fulcher, Matthew Swain, and Chris D. Orem); (2) Editor's Notes: A Surprising Reaction (Trudy W. Banta); (3) Getting SMART with Assessment: ACTION Steps to Institutional Effectiveness (Eric Daffron…

Discusses the general characteristics of database management systems and file systems. Also gives a basic framework for evaluating such software and suggests characteristics that should be considered when buying software for specific scientific applications. A list of vendor addresses for popular database management systems is included. (JN)

While avoiding evaluation or specification of individual companies, computer time-sharing commercial contract agreements are analyzed. Price and non-price contract elements are analyzed according to 22 evaluation criteria: confidentiality measures assumed by the vendor; consultation services available; package programs and user routines; languages…

Technique for Establishing Personnel Performance Standards (TEPPS) is a tool for use in man-machine system design and analysis. This is a guide to its application. It specifies the types of input data required, provides instructions and examples on how to proceed through the various steps in TEPPS' application, and includes guidelines for…

Categorizes different theoretical justifications of data fusion into two approaches, examines their implications, analyzes some unsuccessful data fusion experiments, and proposes two conditions for effective data fusion. Results indicate that the efficacy and inter-scheme dissimilarity are good predictors for effectiveness of data fusion.…

Developed by high school teachers and junior college instructors in cooperation with representatives of business and industry, these materials are designed to help students move from class to class, from secondary to postsecondary education, and from school to employment. The materials consist of student outcomes; competencies for job, advanced…

Reviews citation analysis literature and explores use of citation analysis to identify core journals and indicate disciplinary structure and interrelationships of journals reporting on reading research. Use of 1980 "Journal Citation Reports" data to generate criterion for selecting high impact journals and list of 33 core journals is…

Provides a prescriptive checklist describing necessary or desirable features for a typical application for use in choosing among 150 available data cassette recorders as an effective low-cost method for collecting data in machine-readable form from display terminals. Included are environmental considerations and purchasing information. (RAA)

A complex freestanding optical mark recognition (OMR) scanner is one which is not on-line to an external processor; it has intelligence stemming from an internal processor located within the unit or system. The advantages and disadvantages of a complex OMR can best be assessed after identifying the scanning needs and constraints of the potential…

This report presents an objective overview of features of six selected data-base management systems and federal user experiences with these systems. Application criteria were developed in order to aid in the evaluation and selection of data-base management systems. The advantages of generalized data-base management systems over traditional methods…

Information gathered from faculty members about nontextbook educational materials is reviewed by the Association of American Medical Colleges before cataloging, indexing, and abstracting at the National Library of Medicine for listing in AVLINE, a computer information service available through the MEDLARS system. (JT)

The role of documentation in the planning and control functions of project management is reviewed. The importance of documentation in the assessment of research quality with respect to objectivity, validity, and replicability is discussed. An outline of documentation required in different phases of research projects is provided. (Author/DWH)

The paper sets the stage for the effective and efficient use of computers in institutional research. The microcomputer and the mainframe computer are contrasted for those researchers who have a choice of where to process data. General computer use, specific microcomputer and mainframe computing guidelines, and an application utilizing both…