Responds to Austin, Humphreys, and Hulin's (1989) critique of Barrett, Caldwell, and Alexander, suggesting that the burden of proof still rests on the advocates of the concept of dynamic criteria, and that empirical support is lacking for the existence of dynamic criteria as a simplex. Contrary evidence from educational, organizations, and…

Discusses the interdependencies between parameter estimation and properties of probabilistic models, such as dependency assumptions, binary vs. nonbinary features, and estimation sample selection. An optimum estimation for binary features applicable to information retrieval is defined, a method for computing this estimation using empirical data is…

Argues that a major difficulty in using Lotka's law in information science arises from the misuse of goodness of fit tests in parameter estimation. Three approaches for studying Lotka's law are presented: an index approach, a time series approach, and a generating mechanism incorporating these two influential variables to derive an equilibrium…

Offers a framework for conceptualizing the events that follow adoption of innovation. Surveys of home users of microcomputers are described that examined three outcomes of adoption: (1) degree of usage; (2) satisfaction; and (3) attitude toward the technology. Variations in the outcomes are examined, and further research needs are suggested. (46…

Examined data from 219 widowed or divorced older adults. Found that self-reported personal health was major predictor of management of loss and well-being for both divorced and widowed respondents with positive ratings of health consistently indicating more satisfactory outcomes. For widowed respondents, time since spouse's death was strong…

Severely hearing-impaired students (n=187, ages 7-23) at eight reading levels were evaluated to determine their ability to comprehend common English modals. Although subjects' modal comprehension improved with reading level, subjects at the highest reading levels did not demonstrate complete mastery of modals. Modals tended to be acquired in a…

A study in four first-year dental school classes found that while the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a good measure of dental students' personality traits, it is not a useful measure for predicting first-year achievement. (MSE)

A sample of 5,607 severely/profoundly mentally retarded children under 18 years was studied to determine predictor variables in out-of-home placements. Examined were child age, maladaptive/adaptive behavior, and presence of multiple handicaps. Results suggest that variables other than child characteristics should be included in analyses of…

Describes research that examined several variables, including the geographic placement of states, that might explain fluctuations in state governments' apparent willingness to fund public libraries. Tables summarizing state aid are appended, and accompanying maps provide pictorial testimony to the behavior of states on selected library and…

Cognitive processes underlying the empirical correlation between IQ and choice reaction time (CHRT) were examined using the Culture Fair Intelligence Test and nine CHRT tasks (N=50 university students). IQ predicted well for simple control tasks and available attention, but not for attention flexibility, feature extraction, or response choices…

The categorical stability of 523 students with mild handicaps was investigated in a retrospective study of special education records. Results indicated that many students had at least two different classifications during their school years. Analyzed were the stability of various categories, student age when changes took place, and predictors of…

Aimed to determine to what degree newborns' auditory brainstem evoked responses (ABRs) predict delayed or impaired development during the first year. When 93 infants' ABRs were evaluated at three, six, and nine months, newborn ABR was moderately sensitive for detecting hearing impairment and more sensitive than other indicators in detecting…

Examined eating disorders in 116 adolescent girls drawn from private school students in a metropolitan area and followed over an 8-year period. Over 25% of the sample identified a serious eating problem. Eating problem patterns were associated with earlier pubertal maturation and higher body fat; concurrent psychological disturbances; subsequent…

Compared the long-term recidivism of 191 child molesters and 137 nonsexual criminals. Overall, 83.2% of the nonsexual criminals and 61.8% of the child molesters were reconvicted for distinct types of offenses. In general, prior offenses of a specific type predicted future offenses of the same type. (JBJ)

Analysis of characteristics of self-employed women and men suggested that family characteristics (such as children and marital status) are significant predictors of women's self-employment; human capital characteristics predict men's self-employment. Advanced age and education are among the determinants for both men and women. (SK)