Homogeneity analysis, or multiple correspondence analysis, is usually applied to k separate variables. In this paper, it is applied to sets of variables by using sums within sets. The resulting technique is referred to as OVERALS. It uses the notion of optimal scaling, with transformations that can be multiple or single. The single transformations…

Estimation of ability and item parameters in latent trait models is discussed. When both ability and item parameters are considered fixed but unknown, the method of maximum likelihood for the logistic or probit models is well known. Discussed are techniques for estimating ability and item parameters when the ability parameters or item parameters…

One of a series of research reports examining objective principles successfully used in other fields which can lend integrity and legitimacy to evaluation, this report presents an overview of operations research (OR) as a potential source of evaluation methodology. The nature of the methods common to this discipline are summarized and the…

The purpose of this study was to find out what difficulties Nicaraguan children encounter in doing addition and subtraction exercises. The results were used in the design of radio lessons in mathematics for elementary school. The performance on addition exercises is analyzed with a view toward identifying the distinct skills that are required by…

THE STUDY IS CONCERNED WITH THE LINGUISTIC PROBLEM INVOLVED IN TEXT COMPRESSION--EXTRACTING, INDEXING, AND THE AUTOMATIC CREATION OF SPECIAL-PURPOSE CITATION DICTIONARIES. IN SPITE OF EARLY SUCCESS IN USING LARGE-SCALE COMPUTERS TO AUTOMATE CERTAIN HUMAN TASKS, THESE PROBLEMS REMAIN AMONG THE MOST DIFFICULT TO SOLVE. ESSENTIALLY, THE PROBLEM IS TO…

The construction of algorithms to present grammatical rules is advocated on the basis of clarity and ease of memorization. Algorithmic procedure is demonstrated for the introduction of subordinate clauses by conjunctions in German, and the formation of plural nouns in English. (AF)

An algorithm for generating a structural syntactic surrogate of English text is defined in this paper. The "performance" of the surrogate is judged empirically according to adherence to the following criteria: (1) The surrogate is an organized representation of natural language text; (2) The algorithm which produces the surrogate is…

In this paper a reliable method is found for approximating the value of the Bivariate Normal Correlation Coefficient, rho, given values of the joint probability and the normal deviates, h and k, or the related areas. This technique finds useful application in the computation of the tetrachoric correlation coefficient, r, when the underlying…

A test for divisibility by any prime number is discussed and its proof is given. (MP)

A current method of teaching long division using repeated subtraction is analyzed as being an example of a sound mathematical method that falls into disrepute when it results in unnecessary, length calculations. (MP)

Comparisons are made between the errors obtained when approximating the integral with the midpoint rule, the trapezoidal rule, and Simpson's rule. (MP)

This study examined the effectiveness using an automatic algorithm to rank the results of Boolean searches of an inverted file design document retrieval system. Relevant documents were ranked significantly higher than nonrelevant documents on output lists. (Author/KP)

Two difficulties that students have in computing with fractions are idenfitied. Then a procedure is described, stressing the identity element, that resolves these difficulties and increases students' understanding and retention. (MNS)