Developed at Brigham Young University, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is a technique for enhancing the probability of success in any system by analyzing the most likely modes of failure that could occur. It provides a logical, step-by-step description of possible failure events within a system and their interaction--the combinations of potential…

The modern educator works in a society threatened by several potential revolutions and torn by the conflict between the philosophies of materialism and humanism. In this situation the data processor has a unique opportunity to contribute to educational efficiency and to human harmony, provided he adopts certain premises and procedures. Regarding…

The analysis is intended to provide California educators with a number of specific, step-by-step suggestions for devising the teacher appraisal systems required by new legislation in the Stull Bill. An overview of essential ingredients of the new requirements is given in the first part of this document in order to familiarize teachers with…

This report is the 11th in a series of interim reports stemming from the U.S. Metric Study, which is being conducted by the National Bureau of Standards in accordance with the Metric Study Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-472). Although it mainly concerns the relationships of measurement units to engineering standards, the issue of international…

This newsletter focuses primarily on the educational facility building systems of Boston and Detroit, and incorporates a brief progress report on the Montreal building project. In addition, the results of ten years of involvement by Educational Facilities Laboratories in exploring the feasibility of developing and applying building systems for…

AN INVESTIGATION WAS MADE OF SOME ENTIRELY NEW INPUT-OUTPUT DEVICES DESIGNED TO SOLVE SOME FUNCTIONAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS THAT ARE PRESENT IN EXISTING COMPUTER-CONTROLLED INSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT. THREE FORMS OF MANIPULATION PAD WERE STUDIED. INFORMATION ABOUT SPECIALLY PREPARED OBJECTS PLACED ON THE FLAT SURFACE OF THE PAD WAS SUPPLIED TO A…

A transactional system is the routine method for carrying out certain processes. This paper describes how a transactional system can be developed and operated for an office that has no computer support. The model is an Office of Institutional Research (OIR). The OIR manual (noncomputer supported) transactional system at Texas Southern University…

The reasons underlying the "failure" of a management information and planning system at a unit of a large urban university system are examined. The problems experienced include the level of expectations, methodology of implementation, and degree of commitment or perceived self-interest. The factors relate to human rather than technological aspects…

Key issues in planning and designing a human resources management or personnel data system are system planning, system design and development, system implementation, and system evaluation. The author discusses necessary steps in designing a successful system. (MF)

Developments during the post-World-War-II period that led to the establishment of the Human Resources Research Organization provide a demonstration of how the U. S. Army training needs generated an effective research and development system. The Army's experience with knowledge production and utilization is translated into general principles and…

The article examines goals of information systems and basic areas that must be considered before an information system is established. The ERIC system is described as an example. Administrative organization, information processing, and problems of the system are discussed. (Author/AV)

Discussion of basic telecommunications concepts includes data terminal equipment, carrier equipment and data communications equipment. Guidelines offered for librarians planning the implementation of a telecommunications network address reliability and costs of equipment, requirements of the system, and ease of use of the system. (CLB)

Discusses the probabilistic nature of information retrieval, and describes a front end system designed to permit searchers to attach probabilistically interpreted weights to query terms, which could be adapted for conventional information retrieval systems without requiring radical changes in current indexing procedures. (37 references) (CLB)

Describes the three subsystems of an information retrieval system (document descriptions, queries, and matching algorithms) and argues that the interdependency of these subsystems requires adaptation for the system to perform when any component changes. An algorithm for redescribing documents, in response to changes in queries and retrieval rules,…

This review of the events leading to a planned materials information system in Europe focuses on national policies and actions the Commission of the European Communities. Recommendations issued by a 1982 workshop are discussed, and the objectives and development of a planned demonstrator program are outlined. (11 references) (CLB)