There are three essential principles that must be met before an activity can be called a game: (1) competition, (2) abstraction, and (3) power. Elements within the principles are varied to give each game a particular style and value. (Author/STS)

Two approaches are described with their philosophic implications: building a model as preliminary to simulation game design, and discovering a model after the game has been developed. A third alternative presented attempts to span the chasm created by the first two and integrate both design processes. (VT)

Using a single set of resource materials built around a given scenario, a number of simulation projects of different types, designed for teaching a wide range of subjects, can be developed. The Pumped Storage Multi-Project Pack is described. (Author/STS)

Redefines some of the central concepts related to simulation in relation to two perspectives, i.e., representation and reality. Highlights include discussions of systems, models, rules, simulators, simulation, role play, and games. Error consequence and the nature of rules and strategy are discussed to draw distinctions between various concepts.…

Teaching history through simulation, with examples taken from a history book: "Involvement in History--The Tudors." (LS)

Computer simulation techniques have been used successfully to evaluate loan policies at the Sears Library of Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). (Author)

Adaptive multistage testlet (MST) designs appear to be gaining popularity for many large-scale computer-based testing programs. These adaptive MST designs use a modularized configuration of preconstructed testlets and embedded score-routing schemes to prepackage different forms of an adaptive test. The conditional information targeting (CIT)…

This study explored alternative methods of estimating the number of latent dimensions represented by binary test data. The alternative methods vary in their complexity and include: (1) the minimum average partial correlation technique (MAP; W. Velicer, 1976) applied to phi correlations between binary responses; (2) the bootstrapped parallel…

The scores on two distinct tests (e.g., essay and objective) are often combined into a composite score, which is used to make decisions. The validity of the observed composite can sometimes be evaluated relative to a separate criterion. In cases where no criterion is available, the observed composite has generally been evaluated in terms of its…

Type I error rates of the likelihood ratio test for the detection of differential item functioning (DIF) in the partial credit model were investigated using simulated data. The partial credit model with four ordered performance levels was used to generate data sets of a 30-item test for samples of 300 and 1,000 simulated examinees. Three different…

This study provided preliminary results about the performance of the DIMTEST statistical procedure for detecting multidimensionality with data simulated from both compensatory and noncompensatory models under a latent structure where all items in a test were influenced by the same two abilities. For the first case, data were simulated to reflect…

Describes the PROF technique which is specifically designed for research dealing with individual differences in information processing. The PROF technique isolates the degree of homogeneity among raters and defines the capturing policies of these raters. (JA)

Simulation combines the values of cooperative education and the project method for providing a greater number of the facets of learning. The three basic types of simulation are: physical, social, and environmental. All can be applied to distributive education. Research is being conducted to determine when to use which type. (AG)

This article describes scenario development and suggests plans for the use of scenarios in simulations and games. (BB)