This demonstration of the use of a computer simulation research method based on the System Dynamics modeling technique for studying distance education reviews research methods in distance education, including the broad categories of conceptual and case studies, and presents a rationale for the application of systems research in this area. The…

The concept of a qualitative model provides a unifying perspective for understanding how expert systems differ from conventional programs. Knowledge bases contain qualitative models of systems in the world, that is, primarily non-numeric descriptions that provide a basis for explaining and predicting behavior and formulating action plans. The…

Discusses data model role in an office filing facility, office data model requirements, and various modelling paradigms for office data modelling. Data model application to a typical collection of office data is presented, filing and retrieval operations are illustrated, and proposed research into other office data modelling aspects is outlined.…

This paper presents concepts and principles pertinent to the development of cross-level and multilevel theory in organizational science by addressing a number of fundamental theoretical issues. It describes hierarchy theory, systems theory, and mixed-level models of organization developed by organizational scientists. Hierarchy theory derives from…

The greater organizational complexity of libraries and information centers in recent years has given rise to more complex problems for managers. To facilitate solutions, operations research (OR) techniques have been developed that consider the quantitative dimensions of problems along with their political and organizational aspects. Eight standard…

Several bodies of literature that shed light on some aspects of the relationship between information technology (IT) and research practice in science and engineering are reviewed. Subjects include: (1) the importance of calculation in research endeavors; (2) productivity in science and technology; (3) the philosophical differences between science…

Offers a conceptual/theoretical model of learners as total systems representing four learner system types: reactive, preactive, proactive, and spiralling. Motivation, behavioral manifestations, predominant learning strategies, and successful learning environments of these learner types are discussed. Instructional development and research…

Designed to focus attention on the design process in such computer science activities as information systems design, database design, and expert systems design, this paper examines three main phases of the design process: understanding the context of the problem, identifying the problem, and finding a solution. The processes that these phases…

Discusses difficulties in defining instructional systems design (ISD) and presents five ways the field is viewed, ranging from a narrow view emphasizing media selection to a complete ISD view. The ISD view emphasizes five main components: educational theory and research, system analysis, diffusion, consulting/interpersonal relations, and project…

This report begins with a summary of the implications of the Systemic Evaluation project as a whole, and then provides a framework for the commonplaces of schooling, along with an extensive sampler of the ways they can be used for building an information system. The first chapter presents some common conceptions of schooling that have typically…

This paper explores the fault-tree analysis approach to isolating failure modes within a system. Fault tree investigates potentially undesirable events and then looks for failures in sequence that would lead to their occurring. Relationships among these events are symbolized by AND or OR logic gates, AND used when single events must coexist to…

This report examines and evaluates the application of prototyping methodology in the design of a microcomputer-based online library catalog. The methodology for carrying out the research involves a five-part examination of the problem on both the theoretical and applied levels, each of which is discussed in a separate section as follows: (1) a…

The research on which this paper is based examined the legislative process resulting in Minnesota's tuition tax concession statutes through a study of four decision events: the 1955 passage of a tax deduction, the 1971 adoption of a tax credit, the 1976 increase of the 1955 deduction allowance, and the 1981 retention of this deduction in a climate…

The International Program for Agricultural Knowledge Systems (INTERPAKS) research team is developing a descriptive and analytic framework to examine and assess agricultural technology systems. The first part of the framework is an inductive methodology that organizes data collection and orders data for comparison between countries. It requires and…