bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT): The Trial Coordinator Perspective
Authors: Annahern JO , Kruger Davida F. , Gatcomb Patricia M. , Petit William A. , Tamborlane William V.
Published: March 2007

We present an overview of the role of the trial coordinator in the Diabetes Control and Complica tions Trial (DCCT). The DCCT is a multicenter clinical trial designed to examine the effects of two different diabetes treatment regimens on the appearance and progression of the early vascular complications of IDDM. Although the specific responsibilities assumed by the trial coordinators differ from center to center, in general they include adminis tration, recruitment, eligibility testing, and patient management. The trial coordinator's role has evolved with the needs of the DCCT, and may serve as a model for other large multicenter trials.
Evaluation of Education Program Developments: Illustration of the Research and Development Cycle
Authors: Lorenz Rodneya. , Pichert James W
Published: March 2007

The Research and Development (R and D) cycle is a program devel opment model used to translate research findings into educational programs or products ready for use in the field. The R and D cycle is illustrated by describing its application to Effective Patient Teaching, a course on teaching skills for health professionals. Evaluation is a continuing part of program development. Evaluation methods need not follow a rigid formula; methods will generally change with the stages of program development and the evaluation purposes.
Assuming Responsibility for Diabetes Management: What Age? What Price?
Authors: Shirkfollansbee Donna
Published: March 2007

An examination of clinical and empirical evidence raises questions about how best to teach youngsters with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) to assume responsibility for self- care. The thesis of this paper is that age alone gives insufficient information. Evidence is reviewed suggesting that caretakers consider a child's fund of diabetes knowledge, degree of cognitive development, actual performance of diabetes-related tasks, locus of control, and family environment to determine how and when to transfer responsibility for self- care to a young person. In addition, evidence is presented that suggests that shared respon sibility between parent and child is most highly correlated with better metabolic control. It is concluded that informed decisions about self-care are best made by considering a variety of factors, with age being merely a guidepost.
Impact of Prospective Payment on the Role of the Diabetes Educator
Authors: Martinez Nelda C. , Deane Donna M.
Published: March 2007

This paper reports the results of a national survey undertaken to explore the impact ofprospective payment on the role of the diabetes educator and on diabetes education. Responses were received from 903 individuals— 756 diabetes educators and 147 hospital administrators. Study results indicate a need for diabetes educators to more aggressively shape their role and promote the provision of their services to better assure adequate education for those individuals diagnosed with diabetes.
Dietary Fiber in Foods: Options for Diabetes Education
Authors: Tietyen Janet
Published: March 2007

Diet therapy for the treatment of diabetes often dictates that individuals limit their intake of foods high in fats or sugars. The addition of fibrous foods may be appealing to this population. During the past two decades, clinical investigations have attempted to characterize the benefits of dietary fiber for diabetes. Interpretation of the data and implications for practical application have sometimes been controversial. As results ofmore clinical trials appear in the literature, a convergent validity is emerging. Evidence that soluble dietary fibers are a food component associated with health benefits is supported by recent investiga tions. A flexible approach for inclusion of dietary fiber in the diets of individuals with diabetes may be used.
Words and Meaning: A Cautionary Tale for Diabetes Educators
Authors: Anderson Robertm. , Donnelly Michael B.
Published: March 2007

The authors developed a Diabetes Attitude Survey (DAS) to measure the attitudes of health care profes sionals toward diabetes. After examining the results of an initial survey using the DAS, the authors felt that it would be useful to know something about the attitudes of patients regarding these same diabetes-related issues. The DAS was reworded to eliminate technical terms and to make it appropriate for patients with diabetes. To assess the impact of these wording changes, both versions of the DAS were sent to a sample ofphysicians, nurses, and dietitians. The wording changes produced changes in scores on the majority of the items that had been modified. The paper discusses some of the reasons for the changed scores and the impact of modifying the wording of assessment and evaluation instruments.
Iatrogenic Brittle Diabetes: The Hold-the-Insulin Decision
Authors: Ulchaker Margaret M. , Sheehan John P.
Published: March 2007

Modern diabetes management often involves multiple daily insulin injections (MDII) for individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Such insulin regimens are increasingly composed of a larger percentage of regular insulin and a smaller percentage of intermediate- and long-acting insulin. Withholding insulin in these individuals may precipitate acute metabolic catastrophe and attendant ketosis or, even worse, frank diabetic ketoacidosis. A comprehensive understanding ofnormal glucose metabolism and the principles of MDII by all health care professionals both in and out of the hospital setting will foster improved metabolic control in the individual with IDDM, reduce health care costs, and have a positive effect on decreasing diabetic complications.
A Mentoring Program for Adolescents With Diabetes
Authors: Blake Jill Emmett
Published: March 2007

Adequate psychosocial support is a major factor in well-managed diabetes, especially with newly-diagnosed adolescents who face many life changes. A review of the literature shows that few psychosocial support systems exist for adolescents with diabetes. Few psychosocial interventions have been tested and shown to be effective in improving the diabetes-related behavior of adolescents. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the emotional and developmental needs of adolescents who are newly diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and to propose a mentoring program that pairs a qualified, supportive young adult who is knowledgeable about diabetes with a newly diagnosed teenager with a similar socioeconomic background. The trained mentor will provide support to the adolescent regarding diabetes-related issues as well as other issues related to adolescence.
A Primer on the Use of Insulin Pumps in Adolescents
Authors: Boland Elizabeth , Ahern Joann , Grey Margaret
Published: March 2007

Optimal metabolic control to minimize long-term complications is a major treatment goal for adolescents with diabetes mellitus. Reaching this goal is extremely challenging in this population due to unique physiological changes and psychosocial variables that affect metabolic control. Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) may be an excellent treatment alternative for selected adolescents to help overcome some of these challenges. CSII allows for minute insulin changes at variable times throughout the day, providing greater lifestyle flexibility. The purpose of this paper is to review the use of insulin pump therapy in adolescents. Specific strategies regarding screening, initiation, and maintenance of this therapy are described, and case examples are used for illustration. Implications for nursing practice and diabetes education are discussed.
Process Invariance: Another Red Herring
Authors: Thorngate Warren
Published: March 2007

The currently popular belief that social behaviour is governed by invariant processes is critically examined. Evidence indicating that processes vary considerably and unpredictably is reviewed. Theoretical implications are discussed.
Internal-External Control and Independence of Judgment in Course Evaluations Among College Students
Authors: Page Monte M. , Roy Robert E.
Published: March 2007

Rotter's internal-external control theory as well as some recent experimental research on reactions to failure and negative evaluations suggests that externals should react differ ently from internals to receiving poor grades in a college course. Externals were expected to downgrade the course and the fairness of examinations when asked to report their attitudes towards the course. Internals and externals who were receiving good grades were not expected to differ. The present field-correlational study found support for these predictions.
Core Body Temperature and Social Arousal
Authors: Dabbs James M. , Moorer Joseph P.
Published: March 2007

Arousal can be thought of as basic metabolic activity, which produces heat. Considerable metabolic activity takes place in the brain. Temperature measured at the tympanic membrane (ear- drum) is highly correlated with core temperature at the hypo thalamus and may provide an index of arousal. In two experi ments tympanic temperature was observed to increase during so cial interaction. Temperature increased less with three part ners than with one, possibly due to the diffusion of attention from others.
The Effects of Real vs. Hypothetical Risk on Group Choice-Shifts
Authors: Spector Paul E. , Cohen Stephen L. , Penner Louis A.
Published: March 2007

The effect of real vs. hypothetical risk on choice-shifts was examined. Two studies were conducted, each using a different decision task and both employing both real and hypothetical risk conditions. The results indicated that the degree of task reality did not significantly influence the direction or magnitude of the group-induced choice shifts.
The Subject in Psychological Experiments: Effects of Experimentally Induced Subject Roles on Laboratory Performance
Authors: Earn Brian M. , Kroger Rolf O.
Published: March 2007

Subjects' role expectations were experimentally manipu lated in order to go beyond ex post facto inferences concerning the operation of subject roles in the laboratory. Students were given role conceptions defining the role of subject as active or passive and then placed in an experimental situation where they could cooperate or not cooperate with the experimenter. Results indicate that subjects' role conceptions influence their experim ental behavior and that role conceptions are easily altered.
Linear Prediction of Marital Happinessl
Authors: Howard John W. , Dawes Robyn M.
Published: March 2007

Previous research (Dawes & Corrigan, 1974) has indicated that simple linear models may be highly predictive--of such cri teria as academic success and psychiatric diagnosis. This note sum marizes two studies concerning the prediction of another (socially important) criterion: self-ratings of marital happiness. Two samples of married subjects monitored sexual intercourse and argu ments on a daily basis. Rate of sexual intercourse minus rate of arguments was highly predictive of self-ratings of marital happiness.
Perceivers' Explanations of Their Attributions of Attitudel
Authors: Miller Arthur G. , Mayerson Neal , Pogue Michael , Whitehouse Donn
Published: March 2007

Subjects attributed attitudes to a target person who had produced an essay on a social issue. The target was described as having a choice in defending a position (pro or anti) or being assigned a position. A variant of the latter condition included a prompting cue which consisted of asking subjects to rate the target's degree of choice. Inferences of attitude were most correspondent with essay position in the choice condition and least correspondent in the prompted condition. The prompting cue thus sensitized perceivers to the target's constraint. Only 28% of subjects who judged a target under constraint explicitly mentioned the constraint factor when explaining their attribu tions, a result supportive of Jones and Nisbett's (1971) thesis.
Social psychology as history: Advancing the problem
Authors: Wolff Michael
Published: March 2007

It is suggested that an attempt to design specific tests of the Gergen (1973) "social psychology as history" hypoth esis would be a more productive exercise than continued self- criticism and debate.
On the Relationships Between Short-Term Learning and Fluid and Crystallized Intelligence
Authors: Hundal P.S. , Horn John L.
Published: March 2007

Eleven indicants of intelligence and 10 measures of short-term learning were studied in a sample of 265 fourteen-year-olds using the inter-battery methods developed by Tucker. The results indicated two broad factors of intelligence, interpreted as fluid intelligence (Gf) and crystallized intelligence (Gc), coordinate with two broad factors of short- term learning, interpreted as indicating primary memory (PM) and secondary acquisition (SAC). To a considerable extent the learning variables were in dependent of the indicants of intelligence, thus sug gesting (in conformance with previous findings) that intelligence should not be equated with learning over short periods of time. The major variance in common between short-term learning and intelli gence variables is linked to meaningful associations and learning mediated by such associations, but to a lesser extent both Gf and Gc involve the span of apprehension of primary memory. The results suggest that acquisition mediated by meaningful as sociations is more nearly characteristic of Gc than of Gf, but this may mainly reflect the selection of variables used in this study.
Further Study of Cognitive Processing Models for Inventory Response
Authors: Cliff Norman
Published: March 2007

An attempt was made to validate for sentence type items a mathematical model for inventory re sponse, which had previously been found to account quite well for adjective checklist responses. Data were gathered from subjects responding under can did and under faking sets. In the former case only limited support for the model was found, but in the latter it seemed highly relevant.
A Broad-Range Tailored Test of Verbal Ability
Authors: Lord Frederic M.
Published: March 2007

Two parallel forms of a broad-range tailored test of verbal ability have been built. The test is appro priate from fifth grade through graduate school. Simulated test administrations indicate that the 25- item tailored test is at least as good as a compar able 50-item conventional test. At most ability levels, the tailored test measures much better. An offer is made to provide upon request item charac teristic curve parameters for 690 widely used Coop erative Test items, in order to facilitate research.
An Empirical Investigation of the Stratified Adaptive Computerized Testing Model
Authors: Waters Brian K.
Published: March 2007

This study empirically investigated the validity and utility of the stratified adaptive computerized testing model (stradaptive) developed by Weiss (1973). The model presents a tailored testing strategy based upon Binet IQ measurement theory and Lord's (1972) modern test theory. Nationally normed School and College Ability Test Verbal analogy items (SCAT-V) were used to construct an item pool. Item difficulty and discrimination in dices were re-scaled to normal ogive parameters on 244 items. One hundred and two freshmen volun teers at Florida State University were randomly as signed to stradaptive or conventional test groups. Both groups were tested via cathode-ray-tube (CRT) terminals coupled to a Control Data Corporation 6500 computer. The conventional subjects took. a SCAT-V test essentially as published, while the stradaptive group took individually tailored tests using the same item pool. Results showed sig nificantly higher reliability for the stradaptive group, and equivalent validity indices between stra daptive and conventional groups. Three stradaptive testing strategies averaged 19.2, 26.5, and 31.5 items per subject as compared with 48.4 items per conventional subject. A 50% reduction from con ventional test length produced equal precision of measurement for stradaptive subjects. Item latency comparisons showed that those in the stradaptive group required significantly longer per item (about 11%) than conventional group members. It is
A Replication Study of Item Selection for the Bem Sex Role Inventory
Authors: Edwards Allen L. , Ashworth Clark D.
Published: March 2007

An attempt was made to replicate the selection of items for the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI). The 20 masculine, 20 feminine, and 20 neutral items of the BSRI were rated for social desirability "in an American male" and "in an American female" by male and female judges. The BSRI item-selection criterion—each item being rated by both male and female judges as significantly more desirable in a male than in a female (masculine items) or signifi cantly more desirable in a female than in a male (feminine items)—was met by only two items: mas culine and feminine. For a considerable number of other items, differences between mean desirability ratings for a male and for a female were in a direc tion opposite to that predicted. Correlations be tween the mean ratings of male and female judges when rating items for the same sex were quite high, consistent with previous research.
Relative Utility of Computerized Versus Paper-and-Pencil Tests for Predicting Job Performance
Authors: Cory Charles H.
Published: March 2007

This article, the second of two, presents predic tive validity data for on-job performance for a set of computerized Graphic and Interactive Processing ( GRIP) tests in conjunction with data for both ex perimental paper-and-pencil and operational tests. Validity coefficients for job element and global cri teria are reported for four different jobs. Experi mental variables substantially enhanced the predic tive accuracy of the operational battery for Sonar Technicians. Most experimental tests with signifi cant validities were computer-administered. The GRIP tests were more useful than paper-and-pencil tests for identifying personnel skilled in Interpret ing Visual Displays, Adjusting Equipment, and Working Under Distractions. They were useful sup plements to paper-and-pencil tests for identifying skill in four additional job elements.
Linked Raters' Judgments: Combating Problems of Statistical Conclusion Validity
Authors: Howard George S. , Obledo Fernando H. , Cole David A. , Maxwell Scott E.
Published: March 2007

The traditional procedure for obtaining judged rat ings, to ascertain if treatment-related change has oc curred, involves the randomization of the materials to be rated. An alternative approach (linked judgments) is investigated as a potential solution to certain instru mentation-related threats to statistical conclusion valid ity of the incumbent rating procedure. Data from a weight reduction study are presented which suggest that linked raters' judgments provide both a more powerful and a more valid index of treatment effec tiveness than the traditional procedure.
Comparing Fit of Nonsubsuming Probability Models
Authors: Alvord Gregory , Macready George B.
Published: March 2007

A "mixture" probability model that incorporates two component models defined by nonsubsuming sets of parameters is introduced, and a strategy for using this model in the selection of a preferred component model is developed. Example applications of the sug gested strategy are considered for the special case in which the Rasch item response model and a Latent State Mastery model are the component models com pared. Simulated data sets generated under each of these models were used to provide example applica tions of the proposed model selection strategy.
A Cautionary Note on the Use of LISREL's Automatic Start Values in Confirmatory Factor Analysis Studies
Authors: Brown R.L.
Published: March 2007

The accuracy of parameter estimates provided by the major computer programs for confirmatory factor analysis studies is questioned. This note demonstrates an inconsistency in parameter estimates across two of the major programs (LISREL and EQS), with the incon sistency attributed to the use of LISREL VI'S automatic start values for the estimation of generalized least squares models.
How Well Do the Angoff Design V Linear Equating Methods Compare With the Tucker and Levine Methods?
Authors: Cope Ronald T.
Published: March 2007

Comparisons were made of three Angoff Design V equating methods and the Tucker and Levine Equally Reliable methods with respect to common item linear equating with non-equivalent populations. Forms of a professional certification test were equated with these five methods using (1) single-link equating of selected pairs of forms and (2) cyclical equating of selected forms to themselves, by means of equating chains. In the single-link equatings, raw score equivalents given by the Design V methods tended to fall between those obtained by use of the Tucker and Levine methods. The chain equatings produced similar estimated bias and estimated root mean squared error of score equiv alents for the five different methods.
Problems Related to the Use of Conventional and Item Response Theory Equating Methods in Less Than Optimal Circumstances
Authors: Cook Linda L. , Paterson Nancy S.
Published: March 2007

This paper focuses on a discussion of how various equating methods are affected by (1) sampling error, (2) sample characteristics, and (3) characteristics of anchor test items. Studies that examine the effect of analytic techniques for smoothing or modeling mar ginal and bivariate frequency distributions on the ac curacy of equipercentile equating are reviewed. A need for simulation and empirical studies designed to evaluate the effectiveness of analytic smoothing tech niques for recovering the underlying distribution when sample size, test length, and distributional shape are varied is identified. Studies that examine the question of whether an equating transformation remains the same regardless of the group used to define it are also reviewed. The results of some studies suggested that this may not be a problem for forms of a homogene ous test constructed to be similar in all respects. Re sults of other studies indicated that examinees who take a test on different administration dates may vary in systematic ways and thus affect equating results. Finally, studies which examine the characteristics of anchor test items are reviewed. It is concluded that whenever groups differ in level and dispersion of abil ity, special care must be taken to assure that the an chor test is a miniature of the total test.
A Generalized Logistic Item Response Model Parameterizing Test Score Inappropriateness
Authors: Strandmark Nancy L. , Linn Robert L.
Published: March 2007

The person response curve has been suggested as a possible model for test score inappropriateness (Lums den, 1977, 1978; Weiss, 1973). The two-parameter person response curve proposed by Lumsden includes a person slope parameter but abandons the notion of differential item relatedness to the underlying trait. As an alternative, a generalized logistic model is consid ered that includes all item parameters of the three- parameter logistic model (Birnbaum, 1968). In addi tion to the usual person location parameter, the model has extra person parameters representing two possible characterizations of test score inappropriateness: a slope parameter indicating the degree to which a per son responds differently to items of varying difficulty, and an asymptote parameter measuring a person's pro clivity to engage in effective guessing or to omit items in the presence of partial information. To assess the model's feasibility, statistical comparisons were made between parameter estimates from data simulated ac cording to the model and the original simulation parameters. The results seem encouraging, but addi tional empirical study is needed before firm conclu sions can be drawn.
Evaluation of the Efficiency of Item Calibration
Authors: Vale C. David , Gialluca Kathleen A.
Published: March 2007

This study compared several IRT calibration proce dures to determine which procedure, if any, consis tently produced the most accurate item parameter esti mates. A new criterion of calibration efficiency was used for evaluating the calibration procedures; this cri terion considers the joint effects of individual item pa rameter errors as they relate to the accuracy of θ esti mation. Four methods of item calibration were evaluated: (1) heuristic estimates obtained from trans formations of traditional item statistics; (2) ANCILLES, a program that first fits the c parameter and then trans forms traditional item statistics to IRT a and b parame ters ; (3) LOGIST, a joint maximum likelihood proce dure ; and (4) ASCAL, a modification of LOGIST'S algorithm which applies Bayesian priors to the abilities and item parameters. These were compared with each other and with a constant item parameter baseline con dition. ASCAL and LOGIST produced estimates of essen tially equivalent accuracy, although ASCAL's estimates of the c parameters were slightly superior. The heuris tic estimates and those from ANCILLES were generally poor in comparison, particularly for smaller sample sizes. Index terms: Calibration efficiency, Item calibration, Item parameter estimation, Item response theory, Latent trait models.
Detecting and Interpreting Local Item Dependence Using a Fannily of Rasch Models
Authors: Wilson Mark
Published: March 2007

This paper describes a method for detecting and in terpreting disturbances of the local independence as sumption among items that share common stimulus material or other substantive features. Dichotomous and polytomous Rasch models are used in an example to analyze Structure of the Learning Outcome (SOLO) superitems and examine the results for local independ ence problems. The results indicate that some disturb ances were present among particular subsets of the items. Index terms: local independence, partial credit model, one-parameter logistic model, Rasch model, rating scale model.
An Approach to Assessing Unidimensionality Revisited
Authors: Bejar Isaac I.
Published: March 2007

A reanalysis of data from Hambleton and Rovinelli (1986) argues that the methods suggested by Bejar (1980) are a valuable descriptive tool for assessing the unidimensionality assumption when a priori informa tion is available about possible response factors. Index terms: achievement testing, item response theory, uni dimensionality.
Fitting the Two-Parameter Model to Personality Data
Authors: Reise Steven P. , Waller Niels G.
Published: March 2007

The Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ; Tellegen, 1982) was parameterized using the two-parameter logistic item response model. This en tailed assessment of the suitability of personality data for item response analyses, including the assessment of dimensionality, monotonicity of item response, and data-model fit. The latter issue received special em phasis. Similarities and differences between maximum performance and typical performance data are dis cussed in relation to item response theory. Results suggest that the two-parameter model fits the MPQ data and that researchers engaged in the assessment of nor mal-range personality processes have much to gain from exploiting item response models. Index terms: item fit, item response theory, Multidimensional Per sonality Questionnaire, personality measurement, two-parameter model.
A Test for Perceptual Independence With Dissimilarity Data
Authors: Perrin Nancy A. , Ashby F. Gregory
Published: March 2007

The dominance axiom states that the dissimilar ity of a pair of stimuli differing on two dimen sions must exceed the dissimilarities of the corresponding pairs of stimuli that differ on only one of the dimensions. This axiom is presented as a test of dissimilarity data to determine if the dimensions of the perceptual space are perceived independently, and as a diagnostic tool in assessing the INDSCAL model's assumption of independent dimensions. The general recognition theory of similarity, which contains both the three-mode and INDSCAL multidimensional scaling models as spe cial cases, is used to motivate the test. It is shown that general recognition theory predicts consistent violations of the dominance axiom with dependent dimensions, but not independent dimensions. A consistent pattern of violations of dominance sug gests that the three-mode model is most appropri ate. When the test of dominance is satisfied, the INDSCAL model is appropriate for the data. A simulation study was conducted to examine the pattern of violations of the dominance axiom when varying degrees of perceptual dependence exist. An examination of dissimilarity data from a study of the size-weight illusion revealed the expected pattern of violations of the dominance axiom.
Correlated Effects in Generalizability Studies
Authors: Smith Philip L. , Luecht Richard M.
Published: March 2007

The analytical model typically used to perform generalizability analysis assumes that design effects are uncorrelated. Often, the assessment of behavioral data involves designs that employ multiple occa sions or repeated trials (as in many observational and rating studies). In these cases, design effects may be serially correlated. The implications of serially correlated effects on the results of gen eralizability analyses are discussed. Simulated data are provided that demonstrate the biases that serially correlated effects introduce into the results.
State Mastery Learning: Dynamic Models for Longitudinal Data
Authors: Langeheine Rolf , Stern Elsbeth , van de Pol Frank
Published: March 2007

Macready & Dayton (1980) showed that state mas tery models are handled optimally within the general latent class framework for data from a single time point. An extension of this idea is presented here for longitudinal data obtained from repeated measure ments across time. The static approach is extended using multiple-indicator Markov chain models. The approach presented here emphasizes the dynamic as pects of the process of change, such as growth, decay, and stability. The general approach is presented, and models with purely categorical and ordered categorical states and several extensions of these models are dis cussed. Problems of estimation, identification, assess ment of model fit, and hypothesis testing associated with these models also are discussed. The applicability of these models is demonstrated using data from a lon gitudinal study on solving arithmetic word problems. The advantages and disadvantages of using the ap proach presented here are discussed. Index terms: arithmetic word problems, dynamic latent class mod els, latent class models, longitudinal categorical data, Markov models, state mastery models.
Multidimensional Rasch Models for Partial-Credit Scoring
Authors: Kelderman Henk
Published: March 2007

Rasch models for partial-credit scoring are discussed and a multidimensional version of the model is formu lated. A model may be specified in which consecutive item responses depend on an underlying latent trait. In the multidimensional partial-credit model, different re sponses may be explained by different latent traits. Data from van Kuyk's (1988) size concept test and the Raven Progressive Matrices test were analyzed. Maximum likelihood estimation and goodness-of-fit testing are dis cussed and applied to these datasets. Goodness-of-fit statistics show that for both tests, multidimensional par tial-credit models were more appropriate than the unidi mensional partial-credit model.
Life History of a Knowledge Claim
Authors: COZZENS SUSAN E.
Published: March 2007

This research examines how a particular idea, the opiate receptor concept, was incorporated into the work of a group of scientists. It focuses on the period of time during which the idea, previously a mere abstraction, began to receive experimental support. The study analyzes how various groups of researchers within neuroscience used the early experimental results, and how the growing understanding of the receptor contributed to a sense of momentum in the field.
Boundary Work
Authors: FISHER DONALD
Published: March 2007

The author posits a model that attempts to explicate in part the relation between the modes of economic and cultural production. The focus in on the linkage between the process of producing and reproducing knowledge units and the structure that is the distribution of power in society. At the center of this model is the process labeled “boundary work.” Boundary work is defined as those acts and structures that create, maintain, and break down the boundaries between knowledge units. The utility of the model is illustrated with references to the development of social anthropology during the interwar years.
Research Champions
Authors: Meehan Shirley , Valentine John A.
Published: March 2007

The U.S. federal government has played a key role in the evolution of health care research in the twentieth century. Yet, while funds have provided support for training investigators, building facilities, and conducting research into the causes and cures of diseases, only recently has there been significant work on the delivery of health care services. The challenge now is to convert the results of such research into changes in the health care system. Demonstration of the role of active leadership in translating research results into improved health care at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may serve as a model for similar efforts.
The use of on-line searching of external data in decision-making
Authors: Davies G.W.P. , Lustac S.
Published: March 2007

So far, the main application of computer systems within organisations has been in the processing of internal data for such purposes as payroll or stock control. Decision making is based on a high proportion of external data, and it is argued that managers and information scientists should make full use of computers and on-line services to capture and merge external with internal data. Examples are given.
The role of the information department in an industrial research and development laboratory
Authors: Jones Collette
Published: March 2007

The author examines some of the principal types of information required in industrial research and development, including market place information, scientific and technical information, patents, legislation, and technu-commercial information. Practical aspects of the organization of a service to meet these requirements are discussed in the second half of the paper.
Experiences of designing a data base for clinical trials information using an English language database management system
Authors: de Rivaz Pamela , North Pamela
Published: March 2007

The problems encountered using a manual system to manage data generated by clinical trials at Smith Kline and French, are highlighted. The development of a computer sys tem for handling clinical trials' data, using database tech niques, is presented. The problems encountered and the bene fits gained from using both hierarchical tree and network structures are discussed. The disciplines enforced by a com puter system necessitated some changes in the design of the documents used to record the raw data. These changes are described. About half of the clinical trials' data are quali tative or textual, and the problems inherent in computerising this type of data and their solutions are presented.
Education in medical documentation in West Germany
Authors: Kostrewski Barbara
Published: March 2007

Education in medical documentation and information processing in Germany is characterized by three principal levels of training: (1) The Documentation Assistant, (2) The Diploma (Degree) in Medical Informatics or a degree in Informatics (computing) with medical applications and medi cine with computer applications, and (3) The Certificate of The GMDS, a professional recognition conferred by a learned society.
Privacy, security, and freedom in the Information Society
Authors: Cawkell A.E.
Published: March 2007

"It was a bright cold day in April and the clock was striking thirteen ...".

It is almost mandatory to quote Orwell's "Nineteen Eighty Four" when writing about this topic - the above lines are the opening phrase of that work and some of Orwell's predictions are uncomfortably near fulfillment. Many new inter-related aspects of privacy have arisen in the last few years, some of which have been briefly discussed before by the author [1].
Managing information to fit the need
Authors: Agar J.R. , Volans J.K.S. , Runcie K.V.
Published: March 2007

A research project at the Edinburgh School of Agriculture has examined the problems associated with the management of information by and for agricultural advisers. The project has reviewed the information at present available to these users and studied information use by advisers, both in the office and in the field. It is clear that more effort needs to be concentrated on the production of information which fits the needs of the jobs.
Digital communication of voice: development of Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN) and its implications for Information Management
Authors: Philip George
Published: March 2007

The implementation of a digital switched transmission net work, whilst primarily for voice, offers several advantages over the traditional analogue mode of transmission. One of the most important benefits to be offered by digital switched networks is that they provide the opportunity for the integration of a whole range of voice and non-voice traffic on an end-to-end digital link. Indeed, the facility to access information in a wide variety of formats and media through integrated networks is becoming increasingly important for information services. Most leading industrialized nations are developing such Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN). Developments in the UK and the RACE (R&D in Advanced Communications Technol ogy for Europe) programme initiated by the EEC are discussed to give a taste of things to come. The implications of the availability of ISDN for information management are also examined very briefly.
Development of computer applications in Chinese information centers
Authors: Lin Sharon Chien
Published: March 2007

This paper summarizes the development of computer appli cations in information services in China. Meaningful progress has been made only during the last ten years. Possible techni cal reasons, apart from the political turmoil of the Cultural Revolution, are discussed. China's automation endeavors have made a successful step forward due to efforts toward stan dardization and coordination for information computerization. There has been much experimental work involving computer processing of materials in Chinese scripts. Specific attempts at information retrieval with national and international databases have presented problems, some of which have been solved and some of which have not.
Market potential of CD ROM for text applications
Authors: Peniston Silvina
Published: March 2007

The advantages of CD ROM as a distribution medium are outlined, and compared with other media, such as print, micro form and electronic information distribution. The present state and growth of the CD ROM market from 1985 to 1987 are analysed, as are information providers in this market. The issuing of second products, and continuing presence in the market, indicate their confidence in CD ROM as a distribution medium. There are other uses of CD including information storage. The future of CD for storage is uncertain, as there are some current disadvantages, and future technologies being developed may replace CD. The market, however, is moving in this direction. Further uses are for software distribution, train ing, and point-of-sale units.

The market potential is very high, with a very large growth rate of installed CD drives in the USA. Current sales figures for individual titles compare well with other niche media products. Market penetration has been much slower than for electronic publishing on PCs, a technology with the same timescale. Awareness of CD still has some way to go, but other reasons for non-use are also present in the market. CD has the potential to move electronic information distribution towards the mass market, if end-users take up the technology on a large scale.
A unified model for data acquisition and decision making
Authors: Kleyle R. , de Korvin A.
Published: March 2007

In this paper we present a model for decision making employing both the concepts of expected utility and belief functions. The situation modeled is that of a decision maker trying to select a single course of action from a finite set of possible courses of action. Although this selection is the major decision, the decision maker is also confronted with many preliminary decisions such as which data sources to access to obtain pertinent information and how to evaluate the mforma tion received.

The proposed model partitions the total decision making problem into two interlocking sub-processes—the data acquisi tion process and the final decision process which is based on an elimination procedure. Decisions in the data acquisition phase employ a rationale based on expected utility, while the criterion upon which the final decision is made is based on belief functions. The application of this model is illustrated by two related examples which are discussed in some detail.

The approach proposed in this paper is in a sense a mathematical structunng of the type of reasoning intuitively followed by an intelligent human decision maker when faced with a single important decision. The mathematical modeling of such processes is becoming increasingly important as the role of the computer in modem decision making continues to grow.
Ranks and sizes: some complementarities and contrasts
Authors: Tague Jean
Published: March 2007

Both size and rank approaches to data analysis have been used by bibliometricians since the early days of the field. This paper looks at the similarities and differences in the two approaches, in both empirical descriptions and mathematical models. The value of the rank approach within the framework of order statistics is emphasized.
Integrating multiple sources of information in literature-based maps of science
Authors: Tijssen R.J.W. , van Raan A.F.J. , Heiser W.J. , Wachmann L.
Published: March 2007

The last decades have seen an increasing utilization of graphical representations of aspects of science. These "maps" are mainly used to depict the underlying relational structures of publications, or publishing entities, within the science and technology system. To this end, the maps generally draw on only one source of bibliometric (i.e., literature-based quantita tive) data—mostly citations or keywords. These information items will necessarily descnbe only one facet of the (intellect ual and/or social) structure of science. We argue that in order to obtain a more complete description of the common underly ing structure one requires the incorporation of more sources of (bibliometric) data. We discuss the statistical model INDSCAL that combines multiple sources (e.g., citations, keywords, sub ject classificanon codes). This model yields an integrated multi-dimensional representation of the relational structure of a set of scientific entities common to all sources. The utility of INDSCAL is illustrated in an application to core journals in the field of astronomy and astrophysics. Some marked dif ferences occur in the journal structure when based on more data sources than citations alone.
Retrieval of biomedical reviews: a comparative evaluation of online databases for reviews of drug therapy
Authors: Sayers Mary , Joice John , Bawden David
Published: March 2007

The retrieval of review articles in the biomedical area is examined, by a case study approach, using two test queries, relating to aspects of drug therapy, for a comparative evalua tion of six online databases. It is concluded that a variety of sources must be searched in combination for comprehensive retrieval, lack of indexing of the "review" concept being a major problem. Suggestions for improvement in retrieval of review literature are made.
Design and evaluation of a speech interface for remote database searching
Authors: Philip G. , Peters B.F. , Smith F.J. , Crookes D. , Rafferty T.
Published: March 2007

Advances in speech technology have made it possible to use speech as an effective man-machine interface in infor mation retneval applications. We believe that since it is among the most natural means of communication, limited use of speech should increase the speed and ease of access to large document databases. The purpose of this paper is to descnbe a two-year research programme which involved the design, im plementation and evaluation of a speech interface for the British Library Blaise online service

The project began by examining an existing pnmitive voice interface which was developed during the early 1980s for an in-house text retneval system known as MicroBIRD. Evaluation of this interface has provided invaluable insights into the problems of voice interface design for online searching. The main lessons learned from this initial study were: (a) take full advantage of the well defined syntax of the query language to limit the difficulty of the speech recognition process; and (b) avoid antagonising the user by providing full control of the configuration of the interface, enabling varying degrees of audio reinforcement of visually presented data.

Based on the experience gained from the MicroBiRD inter face we embarked on the more challenging task of designing a speech interface for the Blaise system. We will outline the hardware configuration, software development, analysis of the Blaise query language syntax and design features of the new interface.

Having successfully developed the system the next logical step was to study the reactions of users to the interface. particularly in relation to the preferred mix of keyboard/voice input and screen/speech output. We have carried out a series of expenments using subjects from a wide range of back grounds. The evaluation expenments have shown that the use of voice for the input of commands and associated parameters is the area of greatest advantage of a voice interface. Indeed voice input is almost as fast as keyboard input, and sometimes slightly faster. Speech output, on the other hand, should be used pnmanly for providing short prompts (e.g. help messages) to the user. The reading out of an entire bibliographic record would be irksome and, because of the senal nature of speech. far too slow. If speech output is desired it should be limited to selected parts of a record such as author and title fields.

Finally. our results have also shown that currently available speech recognition and synthesis hardware, along with intelli gent software, can provide an interface well suited to the needs of online information retrieval systems.
Importance of information sources to the information requirements of work activities in Nigerian government ministries
Authors: Tiamiyu Mutawakilu A.
Published: March 2007

Report on a study of the work situation and informa tion-seeking behaviour of civil servants in state government ministries in Nigena A framework for analysing the need for specific information sources as components of the information systems in organisations is descnbed. The framework was used to identify some of the important work activates undertaken in state government ministries in Nigena, the types of informa tion most often required for the activities, and the information sources considered by the civil servants to be best providers of the types of information