To compare the unit cost of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) programs, there must be a standard model for calculating the cost of computer services. Such cost can be classified into direct costs--expenditures made directly by the group in charge of CAI programs, and indirect costs--expenditures made by other groups in support of CAI services.…

Pricing of subscriptions and single copies has historically been arbitrary. Evidence indicates that the newspaper industry has tended to overestimate the elasticity of demand for newspaper circulation. This study analyzed price changes, circulation changes, and population changes for all daily newspapers in the United States between 1970 and 1975.…

Information concerning a theory about allocation of resources among units at colleges is presented. This information, which is primarily in tabular and graphical form, is based on a report of the special conference topic panel entitled "Clues for Leaders of Universities from Environmental Studies: Applying Theory and Research to…

An alternative measure for evaluating the performance of academic departments was studied. A comparison was made with the traditional manner for computing unit costs and productivity ratios: prorating the salary and effort of each faculty member to each course level based on the personal mix of course taught. The alternative method used averaging…

An analysis is presented of the basic instructional productivity formula, PR = TL x CS, where PR is the index of productivity, TL is the index reflecting teaching load, and CS is the class-size index. Objectives of the analysis are to: extend the basic instructional productivity formula to include recognition of different types of instruction;…

Results of empirical studies of the size-cost relationship in higher education are synthesized, with emphasis on comprehensives, standardization, and mathematical integration. Results of research on economies of scale at two- and four-year colleges and research are summarized as follows: (1) two- and four-year colleges, on average, do experience…

Proposals for calculating unit costs are advocated that are based on a body of methods common to the member universities. Production inputs and cost components in French universities are studied in terms of resources at the disposal of the university, and staffing, capital, operating, and transfer costs. Identification of activities and…

Because of increased access of postsecondary education in the 1950's and 1960's, higher education cost analysis gained importance. Attempts have been made to develop a standard unit cost, but it is hard to see unit cost accounting by itself as a valuable tool for public accountability or policy making. For these purposes a cost-effectiveness ratio…

Multiple regression techniques were used to examine the business side of local television news operations for November 1978. Research questions examined the effect of several variables on local television news prices (advertising rates), including type of ownership, network affiliation/signal type, market size, cable network penetration, market…

Methods of evaluating unit operating costs and the development of the services and departments of French universities are examined. After an initial phase devoted to working out a common methodology, it was decided that the latter should be put directly to the test and that devices would have to be found to bridge the gaps in existing data, as,…

In July 1974, at the American Library Association Convention, a symposium on reference measurement was held. The basic premise was that work sampling and random time sampling with self-observation were the best methods of allocating personnel costs of reference services at the Library of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. First, reasons…

Several computer programs were developed to solve various versions of the quadratic capacitated facilities location problem. Matrices, which represent various business costs, are defined for the factors of sites, facilities, customers, commodities, and production units. The objective of the program is to find an optimization matrix for the lowest…

Costing principles are applied to a university by estimating unit costs and their component factors for the university's different inputs, activities, and outputs. The information system used is designed for Fribourg University but could be applicable to other Swiss universities and could serve Switzerland's universities policy. In general, it…

This paper presents contributions at a symposium about Carolina Alternatives (CA), a North Carolina program that blends capitated financing with public sector managed care for mental health and substance abuse services for children and youth eligible for Medicaid. The symposium focused on stakeholders' perspectives and on expenditure patterns of…

Under the current Medicaid reimbursement system in Minnesota for intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded (ICFs/MR), payments are not targeted properly because there is no uniform assessment and resource use information to determine those clients for whom services are most costly to provide. A project was mandated by the state…