This paper is an introduction to the basic cost-related tools available to management for planning, evaluating, and organizing resources for the purpose of achieving objectives within a teacher education preparation program. Three tools are presented in separate sections. Part I on the cost accounting tool for identifying, categorizing, and…

It is the responsibility of an inhouse film group to ensure that communication is maximized while holding expenses to a minimum. Many productions spend more than is necessary to effectively convey a message by employing: (1) overwritten scripts; (2) complex structure; (3) costly talent, sets, locales, special effects, and musical scores. The…

Competitive bidding has recently received considerable attention in the literature of economics and operations research. Unfortunately, the classic formulation of the problem developed by Friedman and still expounded (Stark and Mayer) can lead to an incorrect estimate of the expected profit for a bidder when uncertainty about the cost of…

Estimating the probability that a proposed bid will win is obviously a central problem in competitive bidding theory. Unfortunately, a method for doing this, which originated with Friedman and which continues to be expounded in the literature, is logically incorrect. This paper points out the deficiency in that formulation. (Author/MLF)

This economic analysis of Indiana public libraries is an experimental and exploratory attempt at benefit-cost analysis of library service. The economic issues that arise in decisions concerning the provision and financing of libraries are highlighted. The questions that economists raise in analyzing the provision of public goods or services are…

Although some serious limitations in the cost analysis technique do exist, the need for cost data in decision making is so great that every effort should be made to obtain accurate estimates. This paper discusses the several issues which arise when an attempt is made to make quality, trade-off, or scope decisions based on cost data. Three methods…

The Bureau of Mines studied the application of the concepts and methods of cost-benefit analysis to the problem of ranking alternative applied research projects. Procedures for measuring the different classes of project costs and benefits, both private and public, are outlined, and cost-benefit calculations are presented, based on the criteria of…

A simple theory of library services was developed as a normative tool to aid libraries in answering the question: which books should be bought by the library. Although the theory was developed for normative purposes, it generates testable predictions. (Author/NH)

In considering the development of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) systems over the past eleven years, one can see a pattern of interaction between advances in computer hardware and software and continuing efforts to solve the basic problems of CAI: problems of achieving a natural-language capability, of keeping the cost low, and of making…

The values of an information service depend primarily upon two things: they either save time or they increase the literature coverage. This study attempts to measure these factors from data gathered by a questionnaire which was sent to a selected group of industrial chemists. Thus the habits of a statistically meaningful sample of industrial…

Microteaching as developed at Stanford University has received much attention from educators, but the model has not been adapted in many institutions due to the cost and time involved. To help professionals evaluatemicroteaching at their institutions, this paper looks at the rationale and effectiveness of the full model as developed at Stanford…

Several factors relevant to the evaluation and selection of cost-effective computer software are discussed. Topics considered include: usage rights, disclosure privileges, delivery and warranty terms, maintenance agreements, program releases and modifications, installation, and remote versus on-site usage. (PB)

The May 1971 issue of "College and Research Libraries" featured an article by Dr. Ellsworth Mason which constitutes an all-out attack on the application of computer technology to library systems. Dr. Mason views the computer-based technology to library systems developed to date (at least the ones he has studied) as unqualified disasters from a…

This study is based on a detailed analysis of the financial and operational characteristics of 50 pre-doctoral colleges over the period of Fall 1967 to Spring 1970. Where there are financial difficulties, they are largely a result of internal decisions, both within the colleges themselves and in higher education as a whole as when objectives that…

This booklet outlines facts that should be considered during a new employee's initial weeks with a firm, in this case a clothing manufacturer; particular emphasis is placed on the principles of good selection and training. Various sources are also given from which to get help in implementing the basic principles described. The following points are…