In a complex sampling scheme it is desirable to select the primary sampling units (PSUs) without replacement to prevent duplications in the sample. Since the estimation of the sampling variances is more complicated when the PSUs are selected without replacement, L. Kish (1965) recommends that the variance be calculated using the formulas…

Describes a collision probability demonstration that emphasizes the value of behavior which minimizes traffic randomness. (LS)

Activities in which the claims of psychics are evaluated can be used in probability classes. (SD)

Arguing that the teaching of stochastic processes should reflect the experience and reality of the student, the author urges concentration on fundamental ideas. The development of intuition should be encouraged, and to this end continuity in teaching and a spiralled curriculum are important. (SD)

After studying a unit on probability students "put it all together" by analyzing outcomes of real and computer-simulated games of craps. FORTRAN and APL programs for generation of the games are provided in this article. (SD)

Described is a laboratory program at Hope College, Holland, Michigan. Examples of laboratory exercises are provided. (RH)

Presents a method of solving decision problems in conditions of incomplete knowledge of the probabilities of the states of nature. It uses all available information in order to delimit the region of ignorance as closely as possible. (Author)

A probabilistic approach is introduced to classify and diagnose erroneous rules of operation resulting from a variety of misconceptions ("bugs") in a procedural domain of arithmetic. The model is contrasted with the deterministic approach which has commonly been used in the field of artificial intelligence, and the advantage of treating the…

The Pearson and likelihood ratio statistics are frequently used for assessing the absolute fit of probability models. Researchers are often interested in comparing fits provided by different models which may have a subsuming or non-subsuming relation. A subsuming relation exists when the parameters of the reduced model form a subset of those…

A mathematical setting based on a statistical sampling probability mechanism is described. In this setting, a mathematical meaning is given for the information function; and it becomes possible to study the relative merits of various ability-estimating procedures. The maximum likelihood estimation procedure under the one-, two-, three-parameter…

In the educational research literature alpha, the a priori level of significance, and p, the a posteriori probability of obtaining a test statistic of at least a certain value when the null hypothesis is true, are often confused. Explanations for this confusion are offered. Paradoxically, alpha retains a prominent place in textbook discussions of…

It is easy to observe that meta-analysis is quickly establishing itself as useful tool of the social sciences. Perusal of representative journals confirms that meta-analysis has been applied in various ways to diverse literatures. It is imperative, therefore, that reviewers, publishers, consumers, and critics of these reviews be best informed…

Investigated were cognitive processes involved in probability guessing in terms of autonomic changes with 48 educable mentally retarded adolescents. (Author/DB)

Seventy-one college students were taught probability and statistics for one month by one of three methods: MP, manipulative-pictorial; P, pictorial; and S, symbolic. Analysis of variance yielded significant differences (p.05) between treatment groups for selected subtests of an achievement test and generally favored MP and P over S.