Responds to an earlier article by the same title in Mathematics in School; v25 n2. Asks the question, Which diagram communicates the nature of the distribution most effectively? Uses debate about the number of angels that can balance on a pin head to illustrate various statistical diagrams and explains problems inherent in each. Concludes with…

A rudimentary description of Markov Chains is presented in order to introduce its use to describe and to predict authors' movements among subareas of the discipline of ethnomusicology. Other possible applications are suggested. (Author)

Reviews literature relating to Bradford's Law of Scatter, which groups journals and articles to identify number of periodicals relevant to particular subject, and notes the gap between theoretical and empirical studies, i.e., no relationship has been found between variables which characterize empirical situations and theoretical models. Thirteen…

Discusses alternative forms of the desirability distribution for library materials and demonstrates the differences in short- and long-term patterns of frequency distribution in the circulation of library materials. Four figures, an appendix on statistical models for library circulation, and a reference list are included. (Author/JL)

Identifies four components of a good predictive lossless image compression method: (1) pixel sequence, (2) image modeling and prediction, (3) error modeling, and (4) error coding. Highlights include Laplace distribution and a comparison of the multilevel progressive method for image coding with the prediction by partial precision matching method.…

The purpose of this report is to demonstrate loglinear smoothing using SAS PROC GENMOD. The results from four published examples, which include the smoothing of a) univariate distributions, b) bivariate distributions, c) distributions with teeth, and d) bivariate distributions with structural zeros, are reproduced to show the flexibility of the…

This article presents two criterion-referenced grading models (a binomial grading model and an arcsine grading model), and shows how they can be applied in classrooms. In both cases, grades can be assigned on the basis of a criterion-referenced test with systematic control of the possible errors of misclassification (Author/BW)

Discusses the literature that has become associated with Lotka's Law of Scientific Productivity (a general theoretical estimate of author productivity in the sciences) and attempts to identify the important factors of Lotka's original methodology that should be considered when attempting to test applicability of Lotka's Law. Forty-seven references…

Establishes a type-token identity relating type-token ratio and bilogarithmic type-token ratio; uses the Simon-Yule model of Zipf's law to drive the type-token ratio and provide a statistical model of text generation; and refines the model to allow for decreasing entry rates of new words. (26 references) (Author/CLB)

A generalization of the usual random-effects model based on trimmed means is proposed. The resulting test of no differences among J randomly sampled groups has advantages in terms of Type I errors and can yield gains in power when distributions have heavy tails and outliers. (SLD)

The logic and uses of test equating are discussed, including three methods of test equating. The focus is on the conceptual underpinnings of each test equating method, rather than on the mathematics of the procedures. Additional consideration is given to the assumptions of each method and its respective strengths and weaknesses. A commonly…

A study comparing citations received by patents in given year to number received in subsequent years found that, even though influential patents remain influential, both highly and infrequently cited patents age at same rate. Distribution of patents by number of citations received is stable over time. (17 references) (EJS)

Demonstrates the use of the Waring distribution as a model for the frequency distribution of scientific productivity. Methods for testing the fit at both ends of the distribution, as well as for estimating the parameters of the distribution and the total number of scientists, are outlined. (16 references) (Author/CLB)

Distinguishing between discrete and continuous latent variable distributions has become increasingly important in numerous domains of behavioral science. Here, the authors explore an information-theoretic approach to latent distribution modeling, in which the ability of latent distribution models to represent statistical information in observed…

RESGEN is a computer program designed to generate simulated latent trait distributions and then dichotomous or polytomous item responses based on item response models. The latent trait distributions can be univariate or multivariate normal, log-normal, uniform, or gamma. The item response models utilized in this program may have characteristics…