bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Humor as an Attributional Index
Authors: Suls Jerry M. , Miller Richard L.
Published: March 2007

The present study examined the circumstances under which observers make attributional judgments about an actor on the basis of his humor. Subjects read a description of a group disucssion in which a nan told an anti-wonen's liberation Joke to a group of women. The variables nanipulated were the audience's anticipated reaction (approval or disapproval) and the audience's actual reaction (approval or disapproval). The resluts indicated that the actor was seen as least chauvinistic when disapnroval was anticipated but approval was received. The actor was seen as most chauvinistic when disanproval was both anticipated and received.
Crucial Experiments and Social Psychological Inquiry
Authors: Forsyth Donelson R.
Published: March 2007

The difficulties in performing a crucial experiment in social psychology are addressed taking philosophical and epistemo logical issues into account. While previous discussions have pro posed that present social psychological theories and methods pre vent such tests, closer analysis indicates that this inability is not unique to social psychology, but is an aspect of any scienti fic inquiry.
Opinion Change During Group Discussion
Authors: Stasser Garold , Davis James H.
Published: March 2007

Changes in mock jurors' decision preferences during deliberation are represented as a stochastic process. Four models varying in their assumptions concerning the nature of opinion changes were comparatively evaluated. The rate and direction of opinion change was found to be relatively constant throughout deliberation and appeared to be a simple linear function of the proportion of jurors favoring the verdict in the direction of change.
Sex-diagnosticity in 100 Personality Trait Adjectives
Authors: Bryson Jeff B. , Corey David M.
Published: March 2007

Normative ratings of 100 personality trait adjectives on (1) probability that the word would be used to describe a male or a female, (2) general likability (sex undefined), (3) likability in a male, and (4) likability in a female, are presented. Analyses of these normative ratings provided information of substantive interest to both impression formation and sex-role research.
On The Use of Consensus: Prediction, Attribution and Evaluation
Authors: Lowe Charles A. , Kassin Saul M.
Published: March 2007

Subjects read about a psychology experiment on helping be havior. Consensus information was manipulated by presenting base rates for experimental helping behavior (high, low, or no base rate information) and by altering the described situation such that helping behavior was more or less expected of participants (high, medium, low or no implicit consensus). Base rate information influenced predic tions more than did implicit consensus information. However, implicit consensus but not base rates influenced causal attributions for non- helping behavior and evaluations of non-helpers. Implications of these results for the recent dispute concerning observers' use of consensus information were discussed.
Why Pretend to Deceive?
Authors: Mixon Don
Published: March 2007

Campbell (1969) has suggested that one way of avoid ing the ethical problem created by deception is to announce to all members of a subject pool that some experiments will involve deception. This paper argues that Campbell's suggestion can be improved by identifying the experiments employing deception. Two basic ways of creating false impressions are examined. One (illusion) is cooperatively produced; the other (delusion) is imposed. Psychological research because of its public nature fails to meet the necessary requirements for successful delusion and overtly or covertly must rely on illusion. A policy of identifying experiments which require false impressions could in time earn psychology the reputation for honesty essential to sound practice.
Content Validity—The Source of My Discontent
Authors: Guion Robert M.
Published: March 2007

The concept of content validity takes on special importance where invoked to justify use of a test. The term 1) refers to psychological measurement, 2) using samples of behavior, sampling both stimu lus and response components, and 3) implies repre sentativeness in sampling. Examples are given to show that content sampling may be considered a form of operationalism in defining constructs. Five conditions are proposed as necessary if one is to ac cept the use of a measuring instrument as a valid operational definition on the basis of content samp ling alone.
Optimal Cutting Scores Using A Linear Loss Function
Authors: van der Linden Wim J. , Mellenbergh Gideon J.
Published: March 2007

The situation is considered in which a total score on a test is used for classifying examinees into two categories: "accepted (with scores above a cutting score on the test) and "not accepted" (with scores below the cutting score). A value on the latent variable is fixed in advance; examinees above this value are "suitable" and those below are "not suit able." Using a linear loss function, a procedure is described for computing a cutting score that mini mizes the risk for the decision rule. The procedure is demonstrated with a criterion-referenced achieve ment test of elementary statistics administered to 167 students.
The Meaning of Content Validity
Authors: Fitzpatrick Anne R.
Published: March 2007

The ways in which test specialists have defined content validity are reviewed and evaluated in order to determine the manner in which this validity might best be viewed. These specialists have differed in their def initions, variously associating content validity with (1) the sampling adequacy of test content, (2) the sam pling adequacy of test responses, (3) the relevance of test content to a content universe, (4) the relevance of test responses to a behavioral universe, (5) the clarity of content domain definitions, and (6) the technical quality of test items. After the theoretical and practical soundness of defining content validity in terms of each of these notions is evaluated, it is concluded that these notions are best regarded as definitions of concepts other than content validity. Since no appropriate means of defining this type of validity is therefore found, it is concluded that content validity is not a useful term for test specialists to retain in their vocab ulary.
Constructing a Test Network with a Rasch Measurement Model
Authors: Engelhard George , Osberg David W.
Published: March 2007

The purpose of this study is to present and to illus trate the application of a general linear model for the analysis of test networks based on Rasch measurement models. Test networks can be used to vertically equate a set of tests that cover a wide range of difficulties. The criteria of consistency and coherence are proposed in order to assess the adequacy of the vertical equating within the test network. The method is illustrated us ing a set of standardized reading tests which are a part of the Comprehensive Assessment Program's (1981) Achievement Series.
Comparisons of Order Analysis and Factor Analysis in Assessing the Dimensionality of Binary Data
Authors: Wise Steven L.
Published: March 2007

Previous research has not shown a clear relationship between order analytic and factor analytic approaches to assessing the dimensionality of binary data. This study compared factor analysis with three order analy sis procedures. Comparisons were based on eight data sets with known dimensionality and two multidimen sional sets of mathematics data. Two of the order analysis procedures fared poorly in reproducing the factor structure of the datasets. The third procedure re produced the factors for datasets with orthogonal fac tors but failed to reproduce the factors for datasets containing oblique factors. Reasons for the differences between these procedures are discussed.
Constrained Multidimensional Scaling, Including Confirmation
Authors: Heiser Willem J. , Meulman Jacqueline
Published: March 2007

Constrained and confirmatory multidimensional scaling (MDS) are not equivalent. Constraints refer to the translation of either theoretical or data analytical objectives into computational specifications. Confirma tion refers to a study of the balance between system atic and random variation in the data for modeling of the systematic part. Among the topics discussed from this perspective are the role of substantive theory in MDS studies, the type of constraints currently envis aged, and the relationships with other data analysis methods. This paper points out the possibility of using either sampling models or resampling schemes to study the stability of MDS solutions. Parallel to Akaike's (1974) information criterion for choosing one out of many models for the same data, a general sta bility criterion is proposed and illustrated, based on the ratio of within to total spread of configurations is sued from resampling.
Multidimensional Scaling Research in Vocational Psychology
Authors: Rounds James B. , Zevon Michael A.
Published: March 2007

This review summarizes and evaluates the use of multidimensional scaling in vocational psychology. Multidimensional scaling applications are found in two primary areas: vocational interests and occupational perceptions. These areas correspond to the two major uses of multidimensional scaling: configural verifica tion and dimensional identification. Two issues—the relationship between multidimensional scaling and al ternative data analytic methods, and the selection of occupational stimuli—are discussed. A number of de veloping areas for the application of multidimensional scaling are identified.
Examination of an Extension of Guttman's Model of Ability Tests
Authors: Tziner Aharon , Rimmer Avigdor
Published: March 2007

An extension of Guttman's structural model of abil ity tests was devised and investigated with two sam ples consisting, respectively, of 335 and 225 males. The examinees in the first sample came for vocational guidance after their military service and were adminis tered a 17-test battery. The second sample consisted of applicants for various jobs in an organization and were administered a 14-test battery. For each sample, a ma trix of intercorrelations between scores was obtained based on the number of correct responses. The mat rices were submitted to Guttman-Lingoes Smallest Space Analysis. The two-dimensional structure found was a radex in which (1) the facet of the language of presentation radially divided the space and (2) the facet of mental operation formed concentric rings. The significance of these findings for theoretical and ap plied problems relating to ability tests is discussed.
The Validity of Item Bias Techniques with Math Word Problems
Authors: Ironson Gail , Homan Susan , Willis Ruth , Signer Barbara
Published: March 2007

Item bias research has compared methods empiri cally using both computer simulation with known amounts of bias and real data with unknown amounts of bias. This study extends previous research by "planting" biased items in the realistic context of math word problems. "Biased" items are those in which the reading level is too high for a group of stu dents so that the items are unable to assess the stu dents' math knowledge. Of the three methods assessed (Angoff's transformed difficulty, Camilli's full chi- square, and Linn and Harnisch's item response theory, IRT, approach), only the IRT approach performed well. Removing the biased items had a minor effect on the validity for the minority group.
Comparison of Two Methods to Identify Major Personality Factors
Authors: Comrey Andrew L.
Published: March 2007

Both Howarth and Comrey have developed taxon omies of personality traits and inventories to measure them. The Howarth Personality Questionnaire and Ad ditional Personality Factor inventories include 20 fac tors, whereas the Comrey Personality Scales (CPS) taxonomy includes eight factors. Howarth identified his factors through factor analysis of items, whereas Comrey identified his primary level factors through factor analysis of conceptually distinct clusters of ho mogeneous items, called Factored Homogeneous Item Dimensions (FHIDs), while avoiding the inclusion of highly redundant variables in the same analysis. Data for all three inventories were collected from the same subjects and factor analyzed. The Howarth factor scales were narrower in content and more highly over lapping than the CPS factor scales. Most of the Ho warth factor scales were good marker variables for the CPS primary factors. Five CPS factors had major loadings for more than one of the Howarth factor scales. The CPS Emotional Stability vs. Neuroticism (S) primary level factor was split into several lower level factors in the Howarth system. Factor analysis of items is recommended to identify FHIDs. Factor anal ysis of FHIDs, in which no two FHIDs are merely al ternate forms of the same conceptual variable, is rec ommended to identify the major primary factors of personality.
Standard Errors of Tucker Equating
Authors: Kolen Michael J.
Published: March 2007

Large sample standard errors are derived for the Tucker linear test score equating method under the common item nonequivalent populations design. Stan dard errors are derived without the normality assump tion that is commonly made in the derivation of stan dard errors of linear equating. The behavior of the standard errors is studied using a computer simulation and a real data example. In the simulation, the derived standard errors were reasonably accurate. In the real data example, the derived standard errors agreed closely with standard errors estimated using Efron's (1982) bootstrap.
An Examination of Conditional Violations of Axioms for Additive Conjoint Measurement
Authors: Nygren Thomas E.
Published: March 2007

Axiomatic conjoint measurement methodology of fers a useful approach for evaluating different compo sition rules as potential models for fitting the compo nents of multidimensional stimuli. The usefulness of this methodology has been somewhat hindered in ap plied settings because of a lack of an adequate error theory for testing the fit of data to the axioms. This paper presents the results of an attempt to provide a basis for an examination of errors of the conjoint mea surement axioms. Specifically, this paper describes a means of evaluating the fit of an additive conjoint measurement model to a three-factor design. For each of the critical axioms of axiomatic conjoint measure ment, the proportions of errors that would be expected by chance for different levels of satisfaction of the simple independence property are examined. The re sults indicate that violations of these axioms occur much less often than intuitively might be expected. Error proportion tables based on monte carlo analyses are presented to aid in comparisons with empirically obtained results. It is shown that two types of viola tions of the axioms can be defined and used to differ entiate between systematic and unsystematic errors in fallible data.
Correcting for Restriction of Range in Both X and Y When the Unrestricted Variances are Unknown
Authors: Alexander Ralph A. , Hanges Paul J. , Alliger Goorge M.
Published: March 2007

Correction of correlation coefficients that have ari sen from range restricted populations is commonly suggested and practiced in research on testing and measurement. Until recently, that research has oper ated under two important limitations. First, the major ity of the research has dealt with range restriction on one variable only, and second, the correction formulas have assumed that the variance of the variable(s) in the unrestricted population was known. This article presents a method for estimating such corrections from the data in the restricted sample and applies the method to a recently developed approximation for re striction on both X and Y. The procedure is evaluated and found to produce sufficiently accurate results to be useful in many practical range restriction settings.
A Probabilistic Multidimensional Scaling Vector Model
Authors: DeSarbo Wayne S. , Oliver Richard L. , De Soete Geen
Published: March 2007

This article presents the development of a new sto chastic multidimensional scaling (MDS) method, which operates on paired comparisons data and renders a spatial representation of subjects and stimuli. Subjects are represented as vectors and stimuli as points in a T- dimensional space, where the scalar products, or pro jections of the stimulus points onto the subject vec tors, provide respective information as to the utility (or whatever latent construct is under investigation) of the stimuli to the subjects. The psychometric literature concerning related MDS methods that also operate on paired comparisons data is reviewed, and a technical description of the new method is provided. A small monte carlo analysis performed on synthetic data with the new method is also presented. To illustrate the versatility of the model, an application measuring con sumer satisfaction and investigating the impact of hy pothesized determinants, using one of the optional re parameterized models, is described. Future areas of further research are identified.
Survey Research Measurement Issues in Evaluating Change : A Laboratory Investigation
Authors: Armenakis Achilles A. , Buckley M. Ronald , Bedeian Arthur G.
Published: March 2007

Efforts to operationalize the alpha/beta/gamma change typology have suffered from a notable limita tion. Virtually all have been conducted in field set tings, thereby limiting the degree of experimental con trol over outcome criteria. Recognizing this limitation, the present study employed a laboratory methodology to investigate two research questions related to scale recalibration (beta change) in temporal survey re search. Application of this methodology permitted ran dom respondent assignment, exact replication of stim uli, and systematic time interval variation for the pretest-posttest design. Furthermore, the use of these procedures permitted testing the use of the retrospec tive design in assessing organizational change. Impli cations of the findings for the measurement of change are discussed.
Assessing the Dimensionality of a Set of Test Items
Authors: Hambleton Ronald K. , Rovinelli Richard J.
Published: March 2007

This study compared four methods of determining the dimensionality of a set of test items: linear factor analysis, nonlinear factor analysis, residual analysis, and a method developed by Bejar (1980). Five artifi cial test datasets (for 40 items and 1,500 examinees) were generated to be consistent with the three-parame ter logistic model and the assumption of either a one- or a two-dimensional latent space. Two variables were manipulated: (1) the correlation between the traits (r = .10 or r = .60) and (2) the percent of test items measuring each trait (50% measuring each trait, or 75% measuring the first trait and 25% measuring the second trait).

While linear factor analysis in all instances over estimated the number of underlying dimensions in the data, nonlinear factor analysis with linear and quad ratic terms led to correct determination of the item di mensionality in the three datasets where it was used. Both the residual analysis method and Bejar's method proved disappointing. These results suggest the need for extreme caution in using linear factor analysis, re sidual analysis, and Bejar's method until more investi gations of these methods can confirm their adequacy. Nonlinear factor analysis appears to be the most prom ising of the four methods, but more experience in ap plying the method seems necessary before wide-scale use can be recommended.
Linking Item Parameters Onto a Common Scale
Authors: Vale C. David
Published: March 2007

An item bank typically contains items from several tests that have been calibrated by administering them to different groups of examinees. The parameters of the items must be linked onto a common scale. A linking technique consists of an anchoring design and a transformation method. Four basic anchoring designs are the unanchored, anchor-items, anchor-group, and double-anchor designs. The transformation design con sists of the system of equations that is used to trans late the anchor information and put the item parame ters on a common scale. Several transformation methods are discussed briefly. A simulation study is presented that compared the equivalent-groups method with the anchor-items method, using varying numbers of common items, applied both to the situation in which the groups were equivalent and one in which they were not. The results confirm previous findings that the equivalent-groups method is adequate when the groups are in fact equivalent. When the groups are not equivalent, accurate linking can be obtained with as few as two common items. Linking using a more efficient interlaced anchor-items design can provide accurate linking without the expense of including ex plicit common items in each of the tests.
The Use of Presnloothing and Postsnloothing to Increase the Precision of Equipercentile Equating
Authors: Fairbank Benjamin A.
Published: March 2007

The effectiveness of smoothing in reducing sample- dependent errors in equipercentile equating of short ability or achievement tests is examined. Fourteen smoothers were examined, 7 applied to the distribu tions of scores before equating and 7 applied to the resulting equipercentile points. The data for the study included both results of simulations and results ob tained in the operational administration of a large test ing program. Negative hypergeometric presmoothing was more effective than the other presmoothers. Among the postsmoothers, both orthogonal regression and cubic splines were effective, especially the latter. The use of smoothing methods must be considered in light of their costs (increases in average signed devia tions) and benefits (decreases in root mean square de viations). For many purposes, the benefits of smooth ing with the negative hypergeometric may outweigh its costs.
Maximum Likelihood Estimation of Multiple Correlations and Canonical Correlations with Categorical Data
Authors: Lee Sik-Yum , Poon Wal-Yin
Published: March 2007

In the behavioral and social sciences, investigators frequently encounter latent continuous variables which are observable only in polytomous form. This paper considers the estimation of multiple correlations and canonical correlations for these variables. Two ap proaches, the maximum likelihood and the partitioned maximum likelihood, are established based on the cor responding multivariate polyserial and polychoric cor relations. A simulation study was conducted to com pare the various kinds of estimators.
A Stochastic Three-Way Unfolding Model for Asymmetric Binary Data
Authors: DeSarbo Wayne S. , Lehmann Donald R. , Holbrook Morris B. , Havlena William J. , Gupta Sunil
Published: March 2007

This paper presents a new stochastic three-way un folding method designed to analyze asymmetric three- way, two-mode binary data. As in the metric three- way unfolding models presented by DeSarbo (1978) and by DeSarbo and Carroll (1980, 1981, 1985), this procedure estimates a joint space of row and column objects, as well as weights reflecting the third way of the array, such as individual differences. Unlike the traditional metric three-way unfolding model, this new methodology is based on stochastic assumptions using an underlying threshold model, generalizing the work of DeSarbo and Hoffman (1986) to three-way and asymmetric binary data. The literature concerning the spatial treatment of such binary data is reviewed. The nonlinear probit-like model is described, as well as the maximum likelihood algorithm used to estimate its parameter values. Results of a monte carlo study ap plying this new method to synthetic datasets are pre sented. The new method was also applied to real data from a study concerning word (emotion) associations in consumer behavior. Possibilities for future research and applications are discussed.
Three Approaches to Determining the Dimensionality of Binary Items
Authors: Roznowski Mary , Tucker Ledyard R , Humphreys Lloyd G.
Published: March 2007

A monte carlo investigation of three approaches to assessing the dimensionality of binary items used a population model that allowed sampling of items and examinees and provided for variation and con trol of important parameters. The model was realistic of performance of binary items in current tests of cognitive abilities. Three indices were inves tigated : one based on the property of local indepen dence of unidimensional tests (the independence index), one based on patterns of second factor loadings derived from simplex theory (the pattern index), and one that reflects the shape of the curve of successive eigenvalues (the ratio of differences index). The last index was used for matrices of phi coefficients, tetrachoric correlations, and variances covariances. The local independence index reported here was the most accurate dimensionality index. The pattern index was accurate under many combi nations of parameters, but decreased substantially at the highest level of factor correlations and the widest dispersion of item difficulties. None of the eigenvalue indices produced satisfactory accuracy, except under the most favorable combinations of parameters. Nonetheless, the eigenvalues of variance-covariance matrices provided a more accurate basis for dimensionality decisions than tetrachoric correlations, which have been the statistic of choice of many investigators. Recommendations for use are also given.
Appropriateness Measurement for Some Multidimensional Test Batteries
Authors: Drasgow Fritz , Levine Michael V. , McLaughlin Mary E.
Published: March 2007

Model-based methods for the detection of in dividuals inadequately measured by a test have generally been limited to unidimensional tests. Ex tensions of unidimensional appropriateness indices are developed here for multi-unidimensional tests (i.e., multidimensional tests composed of unidimensional subtests). Simulated and real data were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the mul titest appropriateness indices. Very high rates of detection of spuriously high and spuriously low response patterns were obtained with the simulated data. These detection rates were comparable to rates obtained for long unidimensional tests (both simulated and real) with approximately the same number of items. For real data, similarly high de tection rates were obtained in the spuriously high condition; slightly lower detection rates were ob served for the spuriously low condition. Several directions for future research are described.
Effect of Estimation Method on Incremental Fit Indexes for Covariance Structure Models
Authors: Sugawara Hazuki M. , MacCallum Robert C.
Published: March 2007

In a typical study involving covariance structure modeling, fit of a model or a set of alternative models is evaluated using several indicators of fit under one estimation method, usually maximum likelihood. This study examined the stability across estimation methods of incremental and non incremental fit measures that use the information about the fit of the most restricted (null) model as a reference point in assessing the fit of a more substantive model to the data. A set of alternative models for a large empirical dataset was analyzed by asymptotically distribution-free, generalized least squares, maximum likelihood, and ordinary least squares estimation methods. Four incremental and four nonincremental fit indexes were com pared. Incremental indexes were quite unstable across estimation methods—maximum likelihood and ordinary least squares solutions indicated better fit of a given model than asymptotically distribution-free and generalized least squares solu tions. The cause of this phenomenon is explained and illustrated, and implications and recommenda tions for practice are discussed.
Performance of the Mantel-Haenszel and Simultaneous Item Bias Procedures for Detecting Differential Item Functioning
Authors: Narayanan Pankaja , Swaminathan H.
Published: March 2007

Two nonparametric procedures for detecting differ ential item functioning (DIF)—the Mantel-Haenszel (MH) procedure and the simultaneous item bias (SIB) procedure—were compared with respect to their Type I error rates and power. Data were simulated to reflect conditions varying in sample size, ability distribution differences between the focal and reference groups, pro portion of DIF items in the test, DIF effect sizes, and type of item. 1,296 conditions were studied. The SIB and MH procedures were equally powerful in detecting uniform DIF for equal ability distributions. The SIB procedure was more powerful than the MH procedure in detecting DIF for unequal ability distributions. Both procedures had sufficient power to detect DIF for a sample size of 300 in each group. Ability distribution did not have a significant effect on the SIB procedure but did affect the MH procedure. This is important because ability distribu tion differences between two groups often are found in practice. The Type I error rates for the MH statistic were well within the nominal limits, whereas they were slightly higher than expected for the SIB statistic. Com parisons between the detection rates of the two proce dures were made with respect to the various factors. Index terms: differential item functioning, Mantel- Haenszel statistic, power, simultaneous item bias statis tic, SIBTEST, Type I error rates.
An Empirical Link of Content and Construct Validity Evidence
Authors: Deville Craig W. , Prometric Sylvain
Published: March 2007

Since the 1940s, measurement specialists have called for an empirical validation technique that combines con tent- and construct-related evidence. This study investi gated the value of such a technique. A self-assessment instrument designed to cover four traditional foreign language skills was administered to 1,404 college-level foreign language students. Four subject-matter experts were asked to provide item dissimilarity judgments, us ing whatever criteria they thought appropriate. The data from the students and the experts were examined sepa rately using multidimensional scaling followed by clus ter and discriminant analyses. Results showed that the structure of the data underlying both the student and ex pert scaling solutions corresponded closely to that speci fied in the instrument blueprint. In addition, using canonical correlation, a comparison of the two scaling solutions revealed a high degree of similarity in the two solutions.
Research Influence in Decision Making to Control and Prevent Violence
Authors: JOHNSON KNOWLTON W.
Published: March 2007

There have been frequent reports of policymakers' lack of responsiveness to research knowledge in the public sector. Earlier studies point to a variety of factors that reportedly explain why research does not have a direct impact on policy decisions. This article focuses on organizational actions that were directly influenced by research and actions influenced by other sources of knowledge. Attention will also be given to determing whether different factors facilitate or inhibit decisions influenced by research as compared to decisions that take voluntary action to reduce violence without the assistance of research.
Social Policy
Authors: MILLER DONALD F.
Published: March 2007

These day it is becoming common to emphasize the significant role metaphor plays in the human sciences. Donald Schön, for example, has recently highlighted its importance in social policy. However, this article argues a more radical interpretation of metaphor's ubiquitous presence in social policy (and, implicitly, in all forms of knowledge and practice). In doing this, it notes certain symptomatic shortcomings in Schön's treatment: His restricted notion of metaphor makes him unnecessarily cautious and ambivalent in certain regards, and unwarrantedly optimistic, indeed innocent, in others. Metaphor must not be considered intuitive and insightful verbal imagery in contrast to a judicious rationality of “critical inquiry.”
Research Evaluation and the Generation of Big Science Policy
Authors: CHUBIN DARYL E.
Published: March 2007

The quantitative evaluation of science, now in its second generation, has become a policy-oriented specialty. Second-generation bibliometrics, as represented by several new approaches, has transformed the analysis of publication and citation data into a sophisticated tool for comprehending the complexity of the scientific enterprise and for addressing practical issues on the national and world science policy agenda. By developing quantitative measures of research performance, second-generation bibliometrics has improved the scope and relevance of science output indicators and, to a lesser degree, indicators of the institutional structures that mediate science and society. These improved output measures are essential components of social impact of science (SIS) indicators, which represent in quantitative terms the conjunction of science indicators derived from second-generation bibliometrics and available social indicators.
The role of subject specialism in the future development of information services
Authors: Dalton M.S.
Published: March 2007

Information science has entered a phase of being tech nology led. The consequence of this is that information services can be provided more quickly and in greater volume by a smaller number of people. At the same time the ready availability of information is throwing an increasing emphasis on the need to collate and analyse it. This paper takes a fresh look at information services in the light of these develop ments and suggests that a remodelled version of subject spe cialism can add a new dimension to the services hitherto provided.
Liquid crystal literature: A novel growth pattern
Authors: Bottle R.T. , Rees M.K.
Published: March 2007

Liquid crystal literature is characterised from 1888 (the first paper) to 1975. After an initial peak in 1910, expo nential growth did not occur again until the 1960s. Reviews and especially patents then exhibited very rapid growth with doubling times of less than 1 year for patents in the 1970s. The concept of relative scientific activity is proposed as the number of papers in a field divided by some function of the size of all fields of science. A plot of relative scientific activ ity shows that the 1910 peak in relative activity was not achieved again until 1972 when the actual number of papers per year showed a 20 fold increase. Core journals for the field are identified.
2001: An information society?
Authors: Garfield Eugene
Published: March 2007

What are the benefits and challenges of an increasingly information conscious society? What role can information play in improving the conditions of poor people and others who do not derive their full measure from modern life? And how can educators prepare the general population for day- to-day life in a world where sophisticated information sys tems will be commonplace? These and other questions are discussed pragmatically, recognizing that predictions of the future are often ethereal.
Information science and scientists in 2001
Authors: Meadow Charles T.
Published: March 2007

Technological innovations will lead to changes in the ways we acquire, transmit and use information, and thence to behavioral changes in individuals. Future changes will be marked by complex interactions among basic technologies, new communications media and new distribution concepts. These will affect the ways people are educated, perform their jobs, and carry out day-to-day activities.

By the beginning of the next century we can expect: (1) a diminution of the importance of the printed word in favour of electronically distributed magnetic recordings; (2) a lessen ing of human effort in deciding what information to record and how; rather we will tend to record nearly everything and postpone until retrieval time the intellectual work of decid ing what is important; (3) a smaller number of information depositories and a larger number of service institutions; (4) the disappearance of the scholarly journal as a bound, tang ible entity, in favour of the 'journal' as a collection of inde pendently published articles, individually distributed to con sumers on demand; (5) electronic conferencing replacing many of today's face-to-face meetings.

As to the information science profession, we must recog nize that most of the great information developments until now have not been accomplished by people who call them selves information scientists. We have, in history, largely been a profession that responded rather than led. However, infor mation science will, in the future, adopt a broader definition of itself, attract more adherents from other sciences and emerge as a mature and respected science.
Reading, looking and learning
Authors: Urquhart Christine
Published: March 2007

The survey of aspects of reading research discusses reading styles, 'readability', and the influence of presentation on reading and comprehension. Consideration of these leads to the fundamental problems of how the mind and eye interact in visual processing of text. Some research on the psychology or reading is reviewed, and certain psycholinguistic models of the reading process are discussed. Text structure and content appears to influence comprehension and learning, and rele vant research on this, and the interaction of the reader with the text, is outlined. Reading strategies are discussed, and the possibilities of altering reading behaviour by increasing read ing speed or improving learning patterns are reviewed. Possible implications for information science of reading research are mentioned.
Drug promotion — A source of information about drugs?
Authors: Hibberd Patricia L. , Meadows A.J.
Published: March 2007

In this paper we attempt to assess whether, or not, drug promotion is an acceptable source of drug information. Both National Health Service hospital doctors and general practi tioners are exposed to an average of $ 1000 of pharmaceuti cal prbmotion (per doctor) each year. Representatives account for 44% of this cost, and the average general practi tioner sees at least one representative per week. Very little is known about the information that representatives provide to doctors, although there are guidelines concerning conduct in the Medicines Act of 1968, and in the Voluntary Code of Practice of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI). Surveys show that doctors consider inform ation provided by representatives to be important for learn ing about both product existence and efficacy. Surveys also suggest that journal advertisements are a poor source of information, and are not used extensively to learn about product efficacy.

The importance of drug promotion as a source of drug information can be attributed to its easy availability. However, there is a lack of any alternative source which pro vides all the drug information that doctors would like to have easily available. Drug promotion does not appear to fulfil the information needs of the prescribing doctor.
Comparative costs of manual and on-line bibliographic searching
Authors: East H.
Published: March 2007

A review of published studies reveals that the cost of comparable manual and on-line searches are approximately equal. The cost of on-line searching has decreased during the last decade mainly because of diminished data processing and telecommunications charges. There are some indications that expected future reductions in these cost components may be, to some extent, offset by increasing data base royalty charges. The relative effectiveness of manual and on-line search in terms of performance measures (e.g. recall and pre cision) seems to depend on a number of factors which include specificity of search and the nature of the data base.
The foundations of information science. Part I. Philosophical aspects
Authors: Brookes Bertram C.
Published: March 2007

This is the first of a four-part paper on the foundations of information science. The second part, on quantitative aspects, will appear in the next issue of the Journal, and the final two parts in subsequent issues.
5. The Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux — an informal evaluation
Authors: Scrivenor Thomas
Published: March 2007

CAB is the principal world information service for agri cultural scientists, including related sciences, and is financed and administered by Commonwealth Governments through an Executive Council on which each is equally represented. The services provided are identification, biological control and the issue of abstract journals and other publications covering the world literature. All are U.K. based except bio- control which operates from headquarters in Trinidad and centres in India, Pakistan, Kenya, Ghana, Switzerland and the U.K. Three Institutes - Entomology, Mycology and Helminthology - provide identification services respectively for insects, fungi, and animal helminths and plant nematodes, as well as publishing journals, and afford limited training and post-graduate facilities. Since 1973, journals have been printed by computer and the information, stored on mag netic tapes, is available online in California, Rome and Cologne. A computer-based Data Entry System is being intro duced in each Institute and Bureau and is expected to be operational by March 1982.
The status of Iranian information science
Authors: Harvey John F.
Published: March 2007

This paper provides a concise history and assessment of Iranian information science in the past two decades. Traces progress from early indexing projects to interactive data base searching. Assesses the importance of early course work, an early sophisticated technical information center, and the Iranian Documentation Centre's extensive activities. High lights from the implementation in a developing country of the American information science concept.
A microcomputer based terminal for assisting on-line information retrieval
Authors: Petrie J.H. , Cowie J.
Published: March 2007

The development of computer software to assist the searcher when carrying out on-line information retrieval procedures using a microcomputer in place of a normal ter minal is described. Criteria for selection of a microcomputer for this purpose are given. A Cifer 2684 microcomputer ter minal which is Z-80 based with CP/M was chosen.

The software allows the storage of user IDs, passwords and search data on floppy disc files which can then be sent to a host computer using simple commands. Data coming from the host can also be stored on disc. The system cuts down the time to enter a search, simplifies logging-on, and the accuracy of data can be checked before going on-line. Library staff have adapted easily to the terminal.
The use of a microcomputer for information retrieval and other purposes in the engineering departments of BP International Ltd
Authors: Nightingale R.A.
Published: March 2007

A bibliographic retrieval system running on a Commodore microcomputer is described, together with the background to the development of the software and the reasons for selecting this approach, rather than the more conventional main-frame system. The system was designed to be operated by non-infor mation staff and to allow for a wide range of different docu ment types.
The relevance of terminologies for automatic abstracting
Authors: Nedobity Wolfgang
Published: March 2007

The increased production and publication of professional and scientific literature makes it necessary that abstracts are pro duced in a quick, efficient and economical way. This can be achieved by the mechanization of abstracting. With the aid of computers, extracts can be produced of all kinds of texts which are available in machine-readable form. The main problem of this procedure is how to determine the key sentences of a text, i.e., the passages that contain the most relevant information. Various methods have been developed for this purpose; the one presented here is based on the fact that in order to convey relevant information, subject terminology is used. In many cases subject terminologies are now available in machine-reada ble form too and thus can be easily applied to the automatic production of abstracts.
Linguistic and political barriers in the international transfer of information in science and technology: A reinterpretation
Authors: Davies Jim
Published: March 2007

The arguments of J. Michel are summarised and challenged. Linguistic and political barriers in science and technology are held to be more dependent on group dynamics and mores than on the arguments, traditional to information scientists, mar shalled in the original paper.

This paper concludes with a plea for a proper awareness of the cultural, historical background and local 'common sense" knowledge base of the group's initiates, with a perception of current group problems, before adequate information transfer can be effected.
An experiment in document representative modification
Authors: Purgailis Parker Lorraine M.
Published: March 2007

A method of using relevance judgements to modify docu ment descriptions has previously been proposed. An experi ment is described which investigates the effect that application of this method, based on one query, has on a second query. The results indicate that approximately half of the second queries have substantially different retrieved document sets when docu ment modification is used. Of these, about half behave better, and half worse, than originally. If the queries are repeated a second time, the proportion showing improved performance increases to 90% and only 3% still give inferior retrieved document sets. The general conclusion is that document mod ification can lead to improved information system perfor mance.
The Haitun dichotomy and the relevance of Bradford's law
Authors: Brookes B.C.
Published: March 2007

In a critical review of all the empirical laws of bibliometrics and scientometrics, the Russian statistician S.D. Haitun has shown that the application of modern statistical theory to social science data is 'inadmissible', i.e. it 'does not work'.

Haitun thus points to the need to develop a wholly new statistical theory for the social sciences in general and for informetrics in particular. This paper discusses the implications of Haitun's work and explains why the older Bradford law still has an important role to play in the development of a new theory.
Information scientists and librarians as a market for viewdata in the UK
Authors: Hayden Virginia
Published: March 2007

Viewdata is both a means of storing, retrieving and disseminating information and of communication between individuals or organisations. As such, viewdata, whether a private system or the public system Prestel, is of direct relevance to information scientists and librarians. A research project is described which surveyed non-student members of the Institute of Information Scientists and of the Library Association working in the UK, as a market for viewdata services. The main objective was to see whether this market was homogeneous or whether it could be partitioned into a number of distinct segments. The market was segmented on the basis of perceived benefits of viewdata. Data were collected using a questionnaire which was constructed from items obtained during group discussions with information scientists and librarians.

Cluster analysis showed that the market was not homogeneous and questionnaire respondents were classified into four segments. Segment 1 which had generally reserved or unfavourable perceptions of viewdata was assigned the descriptors 'unconcerned, reserved'. Segment 2 which had the most favourable perceptions was given descriptors 'experienced, enthusiastic'. Segment 3 with overall quite favourable perceptions was designated 'experienced-but-wary, user-oriented'. Segment 4 which, due to very low awareness of viewdata was generally lacking in perceptions, was described "uninformed, worried". Factors affecting perceptions were identified. These included lack of awareness of hard-copy facilities, lack of awareness of general characteristics of viewdata and perceptions which respondents had of British Telecom.