Discussion of computer usage and familiarity focuses on an empirical study of college students that investigated the relationship between computer familiarity and cognitive ability. Results are reported that indicate a positive correlation between high scores on cognitive ability tests and computer usage, but no gender differences are reported.…

Adults (N=86) with learning disabilities completed the Personality Pattern Inventory, an employment history, and an interview. Verbal intelligence quotient was found to be the best predictor of employment success or lack of success. The incidence of reactor, persister, and workaholic personality types differed between subjects and a population of…

Data gathered from 539 young adults with learning disabilities found that important factors differentiating between subjects choosing to participate or not participate in postsecondary education were extracurricular activities in high school, use of community resources, intelligence quotient, and reading and mathematics grade equivalent scores.…

Investigated whether earliest school recollections (ESRs) diagnostic approach can reveal current attitude toward being mainstreamed of violent and assaultive youth. Examined current student behavior assessments of violent and assaultive youth (n=60) who previously attended specialized day-treatment facility to determine mainstreaming success.…

Inmates engaged in a televised instructional program (n=360) had significantly lower recidivism than nonparticipants. No differences in behavior as measured by disciplinary actions were found. Because of uncontrolled variables (employment and educational level), causal inferences could not be made. (SK)

A critical reanalysis of Barrett, Caldwell, and Alexander's (1985) critique of dynamic criteria. Summarizes and questions Barrett, et al.'s three definitions of dynamic criteria and their conclusion that reported temporal changes in criteria could be explained by methodological artifacts. A greater focus on dynamic criteria as constructs is…

Responds to Austin, Humphreys, and Hulin's (1989) critique of Barrett, Caldwell, and Alexander, suggesting that the burden of proof still rests on the advocates of the concept of dynamic criteria, and that empirical support is lacking for the existence of dynamic criteria as a simplex. Contrary evidence from educational, organizations, and…

Discusses the interdependencies between parameter estimation and properties of probabilistic models, such as dependency assumptions, binary vs. nonbinary features, and estimation sample selection. An optimum estimation for binary features applicable to information retrieval is defined, a method for computing this estimation using empirical data is…

Argues that a major difficulty in using Lotka's law in information science arises from the misuse of goodness of fit tests in parameter estimation. Three approaches for studying Lotka's law are presented: an index approach, a time series approach, and a generating mechanism incorporating these two influential variables to derive an equilibrium…

Offers a framework for conceptualizing the events that follow adoption of innovation. Surveys of home users of microcomputers are described that examined three outcomes of adoption: (1) degree of usage; (2) satisfaction; and (3) attitude toward the technology. Variations in the outcomes are examined, and further research needs are suggested. (46…

Examined data from 219 widowed or divorced older adults. Found that self-reported personal health was major predictor of management of loss and well-being for both divorced and widowed respondents with positive ratings of health consistently indicating more satisfactory outcomes. For widowed respondents, time since spouse's death was strong…

Severely hearing-impaired students (n=187, ages 7-23) at eight reading levels were evaluated to determine their ability to comprehend common English modals. Although subjects' modal comprehension improved with reading level, subjects at the highest reading levels did not demonstrate complete mastery of modals. Modals tended to be acquired in a…

A study in four first-year dental school classes found that while the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a good measure of dental students' personality traits, it is not a useful measure for predicting first-year achievement. (MSE)

A sample of 5,607 severely/profoundly mentally retarded children under 18 years was studied to determine predictor variables in out-of-home placements. Examined were child age, maladaptive/adaptive behavior, and presence of multiple handicaps. Results suggest that variables other than child characteristics should be included in analyses of…

Describes research that examined several variables, including the geographic placement of states, that might explain fluctuations in state governments' apparent willingness to fund public libraries. Tables summarizing state aid are appended, and accompanying maps provide pictorial testimony to the behavior of states on selected library and…