The effect of prior information in Bayesian estimation is considered, mainly from the standpoint of objective testing. In the estimation of a parameter belonging to an individual, the prior information is, in most cases, the density function of the population to which the individual belongs. Bayesian estimation was compared with maximum likelihood…

To illustrate the types of factors that must be considered in evaluating public documents, this paper analyzes a number of possible outcomes resulting from one type of document, the patient package insert (PPI) designed to provide consumers of prescription drugs with information about the drugs. It first outlines the intended sequence for a PPI:…

The use of telecommunications to expedite business communications in the "office of the future" is addressed in this paper. After briefly describing the development of the telephone industry and its response to consumer needs, the paper discusses the importance of information exchange through word processing, electronic mail, teleconferencing,…

Data were collected from 93 journalism students before and after the 1978 Ohio gubernatorial election to determine how selectivity in exposure to information was influenced by information utility, fatalism (locus of control), past history of reinforcement, and political party identification. Results showed that past history of reinforcement and…

The role teacher educators may play as participants in teacher centers is discussed. It is pointed out that teacher center programs and services would be enhanced if they were linked to the educational research community generally and the research on teaching community specifically. The suggestion is made that this linking function can be provided…

Prestel, Oracle, and Ceefax are telephone based video text systems currently in use in Great Britain. Rather than being considered as competitors, they should be viewed as complementary media with separate functions based on their differences. All use home television sets to receive information in print, and all broadcast on spare TV lines in the…

The major developments in videotex and teletext throughout the world are reviewed and the impact these developments are likely to have on the future of electronic publishing media is analyzed in this paper. Various sections of the paper provide discussions of the following: the terminology of the new field; implementation of videotex/teletext…

Naturalistic research methods were used to analyze five case studies of school program evaluations. Interviews were conducted with program personnel and evaluators for the five programs, which were funded by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Title I, Title III, or Title IV-C. Programs were: (1) Bayview: Project MORE, a program to improve…

This overview deals with studies bearing on the role which information on research and development plays in science and technology in the United States, discussing in general terms the nature, benefits, and problems associated with the collection, dissemination, use, and value of such information in scientific and technological growth. Studies in…

Focusing on the library book borrowing behavior which can be controlled by the circulation policy of the library, this study investigates such factors as type of borrower, type of material borrowed, number of items borrowed, and length of time borrowed, and ascertains the effects these factors have on the use of borrowed library materials. Data…

The agenda setting hypothesis of mass media effects, which maintains that the mass media set the agenda of public discussion and determine which items are to be discussed and which ignored, was tested. Agenda was defined as an attribute of individual respondents to be compared with those of various media. In a preliminary study, a group of 59…

An examination of 500 citations in 17 behavioral science journals was made for four time periods: 1950, 1955, 1960 and 1965. Fewer journals were examined in the earlier periods because some of the journals began after 1950, 1955, or 1960. The citations were examined to find out what sources were cited by which journals in which proportions.…

A research project is being conducted to construct a mathematical model of the operations of an academic library to be used in making managerial decisions. As part of this project, this report examines Bradford's Law of Scattering and the fall-off of use of documents as they age. A series of mathematical analyses indicate how these two laws can be…

Project Priority was designed to bring cognitive style information to two-year colleges in New York State. The project consisted of four sequences: (1) identification of information and personnel for the project; (2) a colloquium on cognitive style for leaders in two-year colleges and related agencies; (3) a series of four workshops considering…

Project Priority: Occupational Emphasis was designed to assist New York State two-year colleges in the application of cognitive style information to vocational programs. The project consisted of four phases: (1) a workshop on cognitive style assessment, case studies, and information application; (2) campus visitations by project consultants in…