Probabilistic assumptions are added to single and multidimensional versions of the Coombs unfolding model for preferential choice (Coombs, 1950) and practical ways of obtaining maximum likelihood estimates of the scale parameters and goodness-of-fit tests of the model are presented. A Monte Carlo experiment is discussed. (Author/RC)

B. De Finetti's "Fundamental Theorem of Probability" is reformulated as a computable linear programming problem. The theorem is substantially extended, and shown to have fundamental implications for the theory and practice of statistics. It supports an operational meaning for the partial assertion of prevision via asserted bounds. The…

The technique presented accomodates multiple populations and a mixture of variable types. It is based on the linear discriminant function and the sequential concept. Also presented is an example in which the technique is used to obtain the classification rule to predict the career choices of individuals based upon a mixture of variable types.…

Swets' theory of information retrieval allows the threads of document weighting formulae, probabilistic measures of effectiveness, and management theory, to be woven into a coherent pattern. Benefits are: the beginnings of a quantitative description of retrieval languages; destinction between retrieval systems and language; and question generality…

The model assumes that the relevance assigned to a document by a juror is a random variable. (PF)

The controversy regarding the admissibility of one-tailed tests of hypotheses was examined. Rather than taking a stand with regard to whether the one-or the two-tailed test is the most seriously flawed, a procedure is developed which can capitalize on the advantages of each. (RC)

Based on a PhD dissertation (Humphries) submitted to the Louisiana State University.

Understanding of the communications process centers generally around the conduct of the process rather than the content, and particularly the establishment of communication channels. The communications model has three generally agreed upon components: source, channel, and destination. Destination may include questions about the nature of things,…

These materials were written with the aim of reflecting the thinking of the Cambridge Conference on School Mathematics (CCSM) regarding the goals and objectives for school mathematics. They represent a practical response to a proposal by CCSM that some elements of probability be introduced in the elementary grades. These materials provide children…

An empirical sampling study investigated six procedures for testing differences between means in the presence of unequal n's and variances. Support was obtained for previous research which found t robust to heterogeneous variances only when n's are equal and of moderate size. The procedure which emerged as providing the best control over Type I…

The design of a series of planning games is outlined. The purpose of the games is to convey an appreciation of the variety of possible futures and to indicate both how the occurrence of some events may affect the probability of occurrence of others and how much of a role chance may play, as opposed to deliberate intervention by the players, in…

Various factors which influence the relationship between the Rasch item characteristic curve and the actual performance of an item are identified. The Rasch item characteristic curve is a new concept in test design and analysis. The Rasch test model provides information concerning the percent of students with a specified achievement level who…

Frequency, rank, and frequency rank distributions are defined. Extensive discussion on several aspects of frequency rank distributions includes the Poisson process as a means of exploring the stability of ranks; the correlation of frequency rank distributions; and the transfer coefficient, a new measure in frequency rank distribution. (MBR)

Tukey's scheme for finding separations in univariate data strings is described and tested. It is found that one can use the size of a data gap coupled with its ordinal position in the distribution to determine the likelihood of its having arisen by chance. (Author/JKS)