bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Foot Care Assessment in Patients with Diabetes: A Screening Algorithm for Patient Education and Referral
Authors: Plummer E. Sharon , Albert Stewart G.
Published: March 2007

The foot care behaviors of patients with diabetes were assessed by medical history, and their feet were examined for peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, foot ulcers, and deformities. The sample consisted of 136 patients (14 with insulin- dependent diabetes and 122 with non-insulin-dependent diabetes). Mean age was 61 years and mean duration of diabetes was 13 years. Peripheral vascular disease was found in 25% of the patients, peripheral neuropathy in 33%, and 13% had both peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy. Potentially unsafe nail and foot care practices were identified, suggesting that routine diabetes care may not provide sufficient foot care education and follow-up for all patients. A screening algorithm was developed to provide guidelines for individualizing foot care education and referral of patients with diabetic foot disease. The recommendations included annual diabetes foot care assessments and education for those at low risk for foot amputation, intensive foot care education and more frequent follow-up for individuals with peripheral neuropathy or peripheral vascular disease, and referral to a foot cale specialty clinic for individuals with peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease, or foot ulcers.
The Challenge of Conducting Clinical Research in Diabetes Care and Education
Authors: MICHAEL SUSAN RUSH , SABO CAROLYN E.
Published: March 2007

The current healthcare environment requires diabetes educators to design their care and education programs around findings in scientific- and research-based literature. They must be confident that what they do makes a difference in terms of patient outcomes. Although diabetes educators recognize the importance of research as a basis for their practice, they often do not see themselves as responsible for participating in the process. Clinicians such as diabetes educators are in an ideal position to incorporate research into their practice because they are the most knowledgeable about the clinical problems that need to be solved. The challenges of conducting clinical research will be explored in this article along with ways to promote greater participation of diabetes educators in conducting research in their practices.
Eye Contact and Distance: A Re-Examination of Measurement Problems
Authors: Patterson Miles L.
Published: March 2007

Results supportive of Argyle and Dean's (1965) equilibri um theory prediction, relating eye contact and interpersonal distance, have been questioned on methodological grounds. Specifically, the criticism suggests that eye contact only appears to increase with in creased distance between interacting pairs because the observer dis tance also increases and results in overestimation due to decreased discriminability. An evaluation of the evidence on the measurement artifact itself suggests that it is a concern only in contrived set tings involving programmed directional gaze and not in situations involving visual interaction between naive subjects.
Two Factors Contributing to the Perception of the Theoretical Intractability of Social Psychology
Authors: Harris Richard J.
Published: March 2007

The main reason for suspecting that transhistorical validity may be more difficult to achieve for social than for physical theories is that incorporating enlightenment effects into social theories may lead to an infinite regress. Such infinite regresses are not an uncommon problem in science, however, and effective strategies for dealing with them have been developed. Unfamiliarity with such strategies is but one manifestation of our field's failure to model two crucial lessons from several centuries' experience with the physical sciences: the need for formally stated theories and the need to distinguish between the success of a theory in highly com plex applied settings and the validity of that theory as established in more tightly controlled situations.
The Deprivation-Satiation Effect in Attitude Conditioning Without Deprivation but with Demand Characteristics
Authors: Kahle Lynn R. , Page Monte M.
Published: March 2007

Well fed subjects role-played either food-deprived or food-satiated participation in a classical conditioning of atti tudes study. Subjects who role-played deprivation and indicated awareness of the hypothesis that deprivation would lead to in creased liking for nonsense syllables paired with food words liked the syllables more than satiation-aware, unaware, and con trol subjects, who did not differ in their liking. The results were interpreted as supporting a demand characteristics explana tion of the deprivation-satiation effect found by Staats, Minke, Martin, and Higa (1972).
Attention, Negative Affect, and Altruism: An Ecological Validation
Authors: Underwood Bill , Berenson James F. , Berenson Ronald J. , Cheng Kenneth K. , Wilson Dayna , Kulik James , Moore Bert S. , Wenzel Gary
Published: March 2007

This field study attempted to replicate the finding that sadness decreases generosity and also to test the plausi bility of the suggestion that sadness decreases generosity because it decreases the radius of attention. Donations to a well-known charity were collected both prior to and after movies which had independently been rated as sad or neutral. The sad movies produced significantly lower donation rates than the neutral movies. An attention manipulation did not alter this relationship, suggesting that the negative mood effect is not mediated by a decreased radius of attention.
The Effects Of Physical Attractiveness On Honesty: A Socially Desirable Response
Authors: Sroufe Ralph , Chaikin Alan , Cook Rita , Freeman Valerie
Published: March 2007

Two studies were conducted to determine if a female confederate's physical attractiveness affected how honest others were toward her, when honesty was seen as the socially expected behavior. A total of 180 subjects in phone cubicles were approached by a con federate who had left change there. The confederate was made to ap pear either attractive or unattractive. She asked each subject whether he/she had found the money. In both studies, subjects in the attractive condition, regardless of their sex, race, or age were more likely to respond in the socially desirable manner, than sub jects in the unattractive condition.
The Trait-Situation Controversy and the Concept of Interaction
Authors: Buss Allan R.
Published: March 2007

The trait-situation issue has been reviewed, discussed, criticized, and "resolved" by several individuals within the last few years. Four recent contributors to this topic--Bowers, Ekeham mar, Endler, and Mischel--all have in common recommending an inter actionist position. That is where the similarities end, however, to the extent that some of these individuals have advanced relative ly consistent but different interactionist views, while others have become tangled in a web of conceptual confusion over the concept of interaction. After determining the meaning of the term "interaction" as it has been used in major contributions to the trait-situation issue, it is concluded that intelligent debate on this topic requir es more precise use of this term.
Toward Reconciling Equity Theory and Insufficient Justification
Authors: Deci Edward L. , Reis Harry T. , Johnston Elizabeth J. , Smith Raymond
Published: March 2007

Equity theory and insufficient justification theory seem to make discrepant predictions about how a person will respond to being inequitably underpaid. The equity prediction is that underpaid subjects will be dissatisfied and work less hard than equitably paid subjects; the insufficient justification (or task enhancement) prediction is that underpaid subjects will enhance their attitudes toward the task to justify doing it and in turn work harder than equitably paid subjects. This study has shown that both responses occur, but in different situations. When there was some ambiguity about the inequity, subjects restored equity by enhancing their attitudes toward the task and inputs to the situation; whereas when there was no ambiguity, subjects restored equity by being less satisfied and working less hard.
Relative Effects of Bogus Physiological Feedback and Control Stimuli on Autonomic and Self Report Indicants of Emotional Attribution
Authors: Hirschman Richard , Clark Michael , Hawk Gary
Published: March 2007

The present investigation examined the relative effects of an auditory feedback stimulus as a bogus physiological indicant and as a sound stimulus per se, on physiological and verbal report measures of emotional attribution. Thirty-six male subjects, divided into high and low resting arousal and high and low anxiety, viewed 10 slides of pinups while hearing continuous auditory tones. Results showed that an increase in tone rate elicited greater self reports of slide pleasantness than a no change in tone rate. In addition, there were no differential effects of bogus feed back and sound control on electrodermal activity or on self reports of pleasantness. The need for appropriate control groups in bogus physiologi cal feedback paradigms was discussed.
Attribution of Causality and the Overjustification Effect
Authors: Pittman Thane S. , Cooper Eugenia E. , Smith Timothy W.
Published: March 2007

Using false physiological feedback to influence attribu tions of intrinsic or extrinsic motivation, it was found that the overjustification effect is mediated by one's self-perceived motiva tion. Contingent reward significantly decreased intrinsic interest, which was defined as the number of trials on the target activity during a free choice period. This overjustification effect was significantly decreased when individuals were given an intrinsic interpretation of their behavior, while individuals given an extrin sic interpretation for their behavior showed a non-significant augmentation of the overjustification effect.
The Effects of Temptation and Information about a Stranger on Helping
Authors: Tucker Lyle , Hornstein Harvey A. , Holloway Stephen , Sole Kenneth
Published: March 2007

In previous research on helping the responses of subjects who received no information about a stranger's opinions and who received information confirming the other's similarity, expressed equally positive sentiment toward the stranger and helped equally often (and more than a third group who expressed negative sentiment after learning that the stranger held dis similar opinions). The present study, stimttlated by this anomaly, found that although the two groups expressed equally positive sentiment toward the other, they helped equally as often only when there was little temptation to do otherwise. With greater temptation the difference in the frequency of helping was comparatively large. This was interpreted as suggesting that information about another can both create and destroy promotive social bonds.
Informational Gain and Racial Effects in the Attribution of Attitudes
Authors: Miller Arthur G. , Baer Robert , Staggenborg Suzanne
Published: March 2007

Attitude attribution was investigated defining corre spondent inference as informational gain. Varied were the race of the actor, the racial association and direction of an essay, and the constraint on the target. The degree of change from pre- essay to post-essay attributions was highly specific to the conditions of the experiment. Informational gain was highest when a black argued against affirmative action. However, subjects gained the least confidence in their attribution in this condition.
Institutional Achievement in Social Psychology: An Historical Perspective
Authors: Tesser Abraham , Shaffer David R.
Published: March 2007

The recent history of institutional achievement in social psychology was studied. Achievement was indexed by the number of publications and the number of fellows associated with educational institutions. The decades of the 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, and 70's were sampled and leading institutions were identified. Temporal trends and relationships between the indices are noted and discussed.
Toward a Linear Prediction Model of Marital Happiness
Authors: Thornton Billy
Published: March 2007

An attempt was made to replicate Howard and Dawes' (1976) find ing that marital happiness is linearly related to the difference between frequency of sexual intercourse and frequency of arguments. Their finding was confirmed. However, in contrast to the Howard and Dawes results, the present results further suggest that either frequency variable can by it self serve as a predictor of marital happiness.
Information-Processing on Intelligence Test Items: Some Response Components
Authors: Whitely Susan E.
Published: March 2007

The reorientation of experimental psychology from studying performance to studying cognitive processes has created a new potential for under standing ability tests in terms of the nature of the cognitive events which contribute to individual dif ferences in solving the test items. The results from the present study suggest the feasibility of explain ing individual differences in performance on a pro totypic intelligence test item—verbal analogies— from the success and efficiency of processing infor mation on hypothesized component events. The data revealed that at least three types of processing events are needed to describe individual differences in the component task durations, but that probably only one factor is needed to describe accuracy in completing the components. More critically, both the accuracy and duration of the component tasks were significantly related to solving psychometric analogies. The results are discussed with respect to the nature of successful performance on analogy test items and the need for more complex models to fully account for individual differences in test per formance.
Empirical Item Keying Versus a Rational Approach to Analyzing a Psychological Climate Questionnaire
Authors: Hornick Christopher W. , James Lawrence R. , Jones Allan P.
Published: March 2007

The present study compared two approaches to scoring a Psychological Climate Questionnaire— an empirical keying of items using item analysis and a rational approach which focused on identifying the underlying constructs measured by the question naire. The approaches were compared with respect to prediction of performance criteria and the ability to ascertain the theoretical underpinnings of the in strument. Questionnaires were completed by 398 male firemen in a large metropolitan area. Results demonstrated that a summation of item scores to reflect carefully designed a priori constructs did not necessarily result in weaker prediction of perform ance criteria. Similarities of the present study with previous work are discussed.
Dependence of the Relative Productivity Gains of Two Personnel Selection Tests on the Applicant Pool Size
Authors: Hsu Louis M.
Published: March 2007

Schmidt, Hunter, McKenzie, and Muldrow (1979) have recently demonstrated how the use of a new test, which differed from a previous test in terms of valid ity and/or per applicant cost, could result in impres sive gains in productivity (utility). This paper focuses on the consequences of changing the applicant pool size (keeping the number of selectees fixed) on the relative productivity gains of the two tests. It is shown that the utility gain may be larger for one test than for the other for part of the range of possible applicant pool sizes and smaller for the rest of that range. Meth ods are described for determining for any two tests (1) whether such a reversal can occur and (2) the range of applicant pool sizes leading to greater utility gains for each test over the other. An implication is that the choice of a test should be contingent on an analysis of the relative productivity gains of the competing proce dures for the available applicant pool sizes.
Measuring Attitude to School with a Latent Trait Model
Authors: Masters Geofferey N. , Hyde Norman H.
Published: March 2007

A latent trait model for rating scales is used to ana lyze responses to an attitude-to-school questionnaire as part of an evaluation of projects operating in 10 West ern Australian schools under the Australian Priority Schools Program. The invariance of item parameter estimates over the 10 schools is examined, and varia tions in item estimates from school to school are stud ied in the light of the different projects operating in these schools. Results show how the investigation of items that do not retain their difficulties from group to group can provide valuable insight into the ways in which calibration groups differ.
Homogeneity Analysis of Test Score Data: A Confrontation with the Latent Trait Approach
Authors: de Gruijter Dato N. M.
Published: March 2007

In homogeneity analysis, or dual scaling, weights for item categories are obtained that maximize Cron bach's alpha. In this paper these weights are compared with the optimal scoring weights in the latent trait ap proach. This is done on the basis of data generated ac cording to the two-parameter logistic model. As ex pected from a theoretical analysis, the homogeneity weights show less variation than the optimal weights of latent trait theory. It is argued that the homogeneity weights should not be used for item selection.
Comparison of IRT True-Score and Equipercentile Observed-Score "Equatings"
Authors: Lord Frederic M. , Wingersky Marilyn S.
Published: March 2007

Two methods of 'equating' tests are compared, one using true scores, the other using equipercentile equat ing of observed scores. The theory of equating is dis cussed. For the data studied, the two methods yield almost indistinguishable results.
The Development of a Rasch-Type Loneliness Scale
Authors: de Jong-Gierveld Jenny , Kamphuls Frans
Published: March 2007

This paper describes an attempt to construct a measuring instrument for loneliness that meets the cri teria of a Rasch scale. Rasch (1960, 1966) proposed a latent trait model for the unidimensional scaling of di chotomous items that does not suffer from the inade quacies of classical approaches. The resulting Rasch scale of this study, which is based on data from 1,201 employed, disabled, and jobless adults, consists of five positive and six negative items. The positive items assess feelings of belongingness, whereas the negative items apply to three separate aspects of miss ing relationships. The techniques for testing the as sumptions underlying the Rasch model are compared with their counterparts from classical test theory, and the implications for the methodology of scale con struction are discussed.
Some Applications of Optimization Algorithms in Test Design and Adaptive Testing
Authors: Theunissen T.J.J.M.
Published: March 2007

Some test design problems can be seen as combina torial optimization problems. Several suggestions are presented, with various possible applications. Results obtained thus far are promising; the methods suggested can also be used with highly structured test specifica tions.
The Changing Conception of Measurement: A Commentary
Authors: Hambleton Ronald K.
Published: March 2007

This paper comments on the contributions to this special issue on item banking. An historical frame work for viewing the papers is provided by brief re views of the literature in the areas of item response theory, item banking, and computerized testing. In general, the eight papers are viewed as contributing valuable technical knowledge for implementing testing programs with the aid of item banks.
Detecting Inappropriate Test Scores with Optimal and Practical Appropriateness Indices
Authors: Drasgow Fritz , Levine Michael V. , McLaughlin Mary E.
Published: March 2007

Several statistics have been proposed as quantitative indices of the appropriateness of a test score as a mea sure of ability. Two criteria have been used to evalu ate such indices in previous research. The first crite rion, standardization, refers to the extent to which the conditional distributions of an index, given ability, are invariant across ability levels. The second criterion, relative power, refers to indices' relative effectiveness for detecting inappropriate test scores. In this paper the effectiveness of nine appropriateness indices is de termined in an absolute sense by comparing them to optimal indices; an optimal index is the most powerful index for a particular form of aberrance that can be computed from item responses. Three indices were found to provide nearly optimal rates of detection of very low ability response patterns modified to simulate cheating, as well as very high ability response patterns modified to simulate spuriously low responding. Opti mal indices had detection rates from 50% to 200% higher than any other index when average ability re sponse vectors were manipulated to appear spuriously high and spuriously low.
Cross-Validation of the WISC-R Factorial Structure Using Three-mode Principal Components Analysis and Perfect Congruence Analysis
Authors: Kroonenberg Pieter M. , ten Berge Jos M. F.
Published: March 2007

By using three-mode principal components analysis and perfect congruence analysis in conjunction, the factorial structure of the 11 correlation matrices of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised was analyzed within a single framework. This allows a unified description showing both the strong similarities between the standardization samples and some small differences related to age. Furthermore, claims about comparability between the WISC-R factorial structure, the structures of other independently conducted stud ies, and those of several translations of the WISC-R were evaluated. Again the overall similarity was strik ing, albeit most studies showed lower explained vari ances. Some age effects seemed to be present here as well. The contribution of three-mode principal compo nents analysis was found to lie primarily in the simul taneous analysis of the standardization samples, while perfect congruence analysis allowed the evaluation of the strengths and the correlations of the common WISC-R components in all studies without encountering rotation problems.
Effects of Variations in Item Step Values on Item and Test Information in the Partial Credit Model
Authors: Dodd Barbara G. , Koch William R.
Published: March 2007

Simulated data were used to investigate systemati cally the impact of various orderings of step difficul ties on the distribution of item information for the par tial credit model. It was found that the distribution of information for an item was a function of (1) the range of the step difficulty values, (2) the number of step difficulties that were out of sequential order, and (3) the distance between the step values that were out of order. Also, by using relative efficiency compari sons, the relationship between the step estimates and the distribution of item information was used to dem onstrate the effects of various test revisions (through the addition and/or deletion of items with specific step characteristics) on the resulting test's precision of measurement. The usefulness of item and test infor mation functions for specific measurement applications of the partial credit model is also discussed.
Effect of Examinee Ability on Test Equating Invariance
Authors: Skaggs Gary , Lissitz Robert W.
Published: March 2007

Previous research on the application of IRT method ology to vertical test equating has demonstrated con flicting results about the degree of invariance shown by these methods with respect to examinee ability. The purpose of this study was to examine IRT equating invariance by simulating the vertical equating of two tests under varying conditions. Rasch, three-parame ter, and equipercentile equating methods were com pared. Six equating cases, using different sets of item parameters, were replicated based on examinee sam ples of low, medium, or high ability or where ability was matched to the difficulty level of the test. The re sults showed that all three methods were reasonably invariant to examinee ability level under all conditions imposed. This suggests that multidimensionality is likely to be the cause of the lack of invariance found in real datasets. Index terms: Examinee ability; In variance in item response theory; Item response the ory, equating; Item response theory, invariance; Test equating; Vertical equating.
Estimating Reliabilities of Computerized Adaptive Tests
Authors: Divgi D.R.
Published: March 2007

This paper presents two methods for estimating the reliability of a computerized adaptive test (CAT) with out using item response theory. The required data con sist of CAT and paper-pencil (PP) scores from identical or equivalent samples, and scores for all examinees on one or more covariates. Multiple R 2s and communali ties are used to compute the ratio of CAT and PP relia bilities. When combined with the PP reliability calcu lated by a conventional procedure, these ratios yield estimates of CAT reliability. Index terms: computer ized adaptive testing, item response theory, predictive validity, reliability, tailored testing.
A Monte Carlo Examination of External Unfolding
Authors: Thompson Paul
Published: March 2007

Monte carlo techniques were used to examine regression approaches to external unfolding. The pres ent analysis examined the technique to determine if various characteristics of the points are recovered (such as ideal points). Characteristics of the situations were manipulated, including number of stimuli, error level, and measurement level. Generally, monotonic analyses resulted in good recovery. Recovery was poor when the data were generated by a weighted Eu clidean process. Negative weights were commonly en countered, apparently due to error in the data. In this approach, estimation is done by statistical techniques, and some statistical concerns should be taken into ac count when examining the results. Index terms: ex ternal unfolding, monte carlo simulation, multidimen sional scaling, nonmetric methods, parameter estimation, unfolding.
Inhibition in Prolonged Work Tasks
Authors: van der Ven A.H.G.S. , Smit J.C. , Jansen R.W.T.L.
Published: March 2007

A new model is presented that explains reaction time fluctuations in prolonged work tasks. The model extends the so-called Poisson-Erlang model and can account for long-term trend effects in the reaction time curve. The model is consistent with Spearman's hy pothesis that inhibition increases during work and de creases during rest. Predictions concerning the long- term trend were tested against data from the Bourdon- Vos cancellation test. The long-term trend in the mean and in the variance was perfectly described by the model. A goodness-of-fit test comparing frequency distributions of observed reaction and simulated reac tion times was also supported by the model. Index terms: concentration, continuous work, distraction, in hibition, prolonged work, reaction time, response time.
A Unidimensional Item Response Model for Unfolding Responses From a Graded Disagree-Agree Response Scale
Authors: Roberts James S. , Laughlin James E.
Published: March 2007

Binary or graded disagree-agree responses to atti tude items are often collected for the purpose of attitude measurement. Although such data are sometimes ana lyzed with cumulative measurement models, recent studies suggest that unfolding models are more appro priate (Roberts, 1995; van Schuur & Kiers, 1994). Ad vances in item response theory (IRT) have led to the development of several parametric unfolding models for binary data (Andrich, 1988; Andrich & Luo, 1993; Hoijtink, 1991); however, IRT models for unfolding graded responses have not been proposed. A parametric IRT model for unfolding either binary or graded re sponses is developed here. The graded unfolding model (GUM) is a generalization of Andrich & Luo's hyperbolic cosine model for binary data. A joint maximum likeli hood procedure was implemented to estimate GUM pa rameters, and a subsequent recovery simulation showed that reasonably accurate estimates could be obtained with minimal data demands (e.g., as few as 100 respon dents and 15 to 20 six-category items). The applicability of the GUM to common attitude testing situations is illus trated with real data on student attitudes toward capital punishment. Index terms: attitude measurement, graded unfolding model, hyperbolic cosine model, ideal point process, item response theory, Likert scale, Thur stone scale, unfolding model, unidimensional scaling.
Software Review : XCALIBRE™ Marginal Maximum-Likelihood Estimation Program, Windows™ Version 1. 10
Authors: Gierl Mark J. , Ackerman Terry
Published: March 2007

In this, the first software review for Applied Psychological Measurement, XCALIBRE™, a marginal maxi mum-likelihood estimation (MMLE) program for computing item and trait (θ) parameters for the two-pa rameter logistic (2PLM) and the three-parameter logistic (3PLM) item response theory (IRT) models, is evaluated. The criteria used to evaluate this program were established, in part, by the Editor for Software Reviews, Richard Luecht, as well as by us. We identified criteria that should be satisfied to produce a computer program that is useful to both researchers and practitioners using IRT. The criteria are discussed throughout this paper and are also presented, more succinctly, in the Appendix. The review is divided into five sections: program description, program interface and performance, output, documentation, and our evaluative conclusion.
The Relationship Between Type I and Type II Income Multipliers in an Input-Output Model
Authors: Katz Joseph L.
Published: March 2007

The constant that relates the Type I and Type II income multipliers in an input-output model is proven to be exactly the consump tion multiplier for the household sector, and additional multiplier rela tionships between the open and closed models are derived.
Approaches to the Study of Information Utilization in Public Agencies
Authors: MANDELL MARVIN B. , SAUTER VICKI L.
Published: March 2007

Unfortunately, although increasing in quantity, research concerning the use of analytically-based information (ABI) in public sector organizations has not greatly enriched our knowledge of the use of ABI. In this article, we consider some prominent methodological problems involved in such studies that we believe have greatly inhibited progress in developing powerful knowledge concerning the use of ABI. In addition, some suggestions for avoiding these methodological problems or reducing their effects are offered.
The Intellectual Foundation and History of the Agricultural Extension Model
Authors: ROGERS EVERETT M.
Published: March 2007

The agricultural extension services in the United States have been highly effective, especially in the past 40 years, in diffusing agricultural technologies to farmers, thus creating a so-called “agricultural revolution.” The results include a much higher agricultural productivity and a sharply decreased farm population. Here we review the history of the agricultural extension model, showing how its various elements developed gradually over time. We also analyze extensions of the agricultural model to Third World nations, to which the model was inadequately transferred, resulting in less-than-maximum benefits.
Computers as a Public Management Decision Tool
Authors: BOZEMAN BARRY , SHANGRAW R. F.
Published: March 2007

A laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of computer cost and access on the selection of information for a public management decision. Subjects were asked to make a decision regarding the adoption of a flextime innovation for a social services agency. Ten different sets of information (half on a computer, half in conventional hardcopy form) were available to the subjects. In addition to a control group, subjects were divided into three treatment groups where cost of the information sets and difficulty of access to the computer-based media were manipulated. The researchers found that increased cost substantially diminished the choice of computer-based information but increased difficulty of access had only a modest effect. Increased cost also led to the selection of a more diverse set of information. Access difficulty resulted in decreased confidence in the decision.
Multilingual information systems: Some criteria for the choice of specific techniques
Authors: Dubois C.P.R.
Published: March 2007

The choice of multi-lingual information handling techni ques is discussed as a systems decision problem in the light of particular linguistic environments and output requirements. Some criteria are suggested for the use of techniques such as automatic translation of raw and pre-processed text, auto matic indexing, multilingual thesauri and switching languages, with comments on modes of use. It is suggested that deci sions on the choice of such techniques are sometimes hindered by excessive claims made for certain systems and may be influenced by political and psychological considera tions.
Ethics in information science
Authors: Kostrewski B.J. , Oppenheim Charles
Published: March 2007

Ethical questions in information science research, teach ing and practice are considered. It is recommended that supervisors of research make clear their publication policies before a piece of research is undertaken and if they don't wish to publish, then the junior author should have the right to write up the work. In any case, papers should be in alphabetical order of authors. Certain areas of research should possibly not be attempted because of their possible implications. Bias in teaching is considered. The following problems in information work are considered: the unauthor ised use of work facilities, the confidentiality of inquiries, bias in results presented and many aspects of the social responsibility of an information scientist. It is concluded that inquiries should always remain confidential, but that infor mation scientists should be willing to divulge non-confiden tial matter to bona fide third parties and should be prepared to reveal confidential matter if the public interest warrants it. No information scientist should be asked to present biased or misleading results. There is a need for a code of ethics for information scientists, and information scientists need to be far more aware of ethical questions.
A standard procedure for generating personal classifications and indexes
Authors: Cooney S.
Published: March 2007

A standard procedure for generating classifications to index personal collections of reprints and references is des cribed. Keywords are selected from all the documents in the collection. These keywords are used both to construct a personal classification for the user (or user group) and to index the documents, using a sequence of operations carried out in a required order. Frequency of keywords and related meanings are used to group keywords under subject headings. Classifications are normally maintained on Peekaboo cards permitting new subject headings to be added and new docu ments indexed at will.

The method has been used since 1966, and 25 indexes have been constructed. Up to 1970 all the work was manual; since then the computer has been used as an aid.
Information for science and technology in India
Authors: Arunachalam Subbiah
Published: March 2007

Following a brief review of the status of Indian science and technology, the paper argues the case for the need to introduce information technology, user education and research into STI systems.
Chemical toxicology searching: a collaborative evaluation, comparing information resources and searching techniques
Authors: Bawden David , Brock Alison M.
Published: March 2007

A collaborative evaluation project has been carried out by fourteen UK and European organisations, both industrial and public sector, to compare information resources and searching techniques for chemical toxrcology information. The project had two objectives: to improve the participants' own expertise in this area, and to allow an objective evaluation of searching methods. Eight test queries were designed and searched by the participants, and the results evaluated semi-qualitatively, with an extensive failure analysis.

Printed sources, online data-bases, data-banks, and in-house files were included in the evaluation. The results are presented and discussed, including both comments on strengths and weaknesses of sources and search techniques, and recommenda tions for future improvements to facilitate access to chemical toxicology information.
On the relationship between quantity and quality of a country's research productivity
Authors: Lawani Stephen M.
Published: March 2007

Analyses of a sample of cancer research papers previously judged to be of high quality and of a random sample from the world literature, indicate that nineteen countries are the key producers of cancer research literature. Quality papers were much less dispersed among countries than ordinary papers and there was a high and statistically significant correlation be tween the quantity and the quality of productivity of countries.
Libraries and information services in China
Authors: Luo Xingyun
Published: March 2007

After a brief historical introduction to Chinese library and information services, this paper describes their development and current status in modem China. The basic policy is empha sised, of using information as an aid to modernization. The core of the paper is a description of the main elements of the Chinese system of information, that is coordinated by ISTIC (Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China), and of the system of libraries. There follow discussions of staff training and of the prospects of automation. The article is based on the personal experience of the author, who has been on the ISTIC staff for many years.
Problems of library and information system automation in Brazil
Authors: McCarthy Cavan M.
Published: March 2007

A study of the major automated libraries and bibliographic information systems in Brazil showed that the most important problems were, in ranked order, lack of experienced personnel, lack of financial resources, lack of official guidelines and government policy, and lack of networks and cooperation. Purely technical problems were ranked much lower. Lack of education and training was also ranked much lower than lack of experience. No distinction was made by respondents be tween the experience of systems analysts with libraries, and the experience of librarians with computers; in other words, what was occurring was a problem of communication between the two professions. Lack of finance was demonstrated by the simplicity of systems, lack of inhouse computer equipment, and the high level of errors in input to automated systems. There was a lack of national planning, in what was often considered a peripheral area, and the central organs of library and informa tion science were weak. Information was transferred between institutions in an almost random manner. Most automation was done in isolation, and there was no exchange of biblio graphic data between libraries. The author proposes a series of small-scale initiatory projects to spread practical experience around the country.
Downloading: Piracy or panacea?
Authors: Feeney Mary J. , Miller Ruth
Published: March 2007

The copying of data from a remote database to the store of a local computer has become a subject of great interest to the information community. In this report, downloading is examined from the point of view of both the information provider and that of the user. Discussion of current practice and policies highlights the important areas for further research which include problems of interpretation of copyright laws, lack of standardisation across systems and uncertainty as to the practical and financial benefits of downloading as a means of information retrieval.
A taxonomy of representations in information retrieval system design
Authors: Smith Linda C. , Warner Amy J.
Published: March 2007

In IR there is a growing body of empirical data and practical experience with various representations. Taxonomy may be defined as 'all the various activities involved in the construction of classificatory systems.'

There are three stages in our research: identification, char acterization, and comparison/evaluation. Identification in volves an enumeration both of the categories of representations which could in principle be part of an IR system and of the different members in each category. Characterization involves identification of properties which could be used to characterize the members of each category. Comparison/evaluation in volves identification of measures which could be used in com paring the members within each category and/or in evaluating the impact of variations in representations on system perfor mance.
Proposals for R&D in Intelligent Knowledge Based Systems (IKBS)
Authors: Jones Karen Sparck
Published: March 2007

Proposals for long-term research and development in intelli gent knowledge based systems (IKBS) were first made by the U.K. Science and Engineering Research Council Computer and Communications Subcommittee in May 1982 [1], and similar proposals for IKBS R&D, but on a larger scale and in the context of an overall programme in advanced information technology, were put forward by the Alvey Committee in September 1982 [2,3]. The Alvey programme has now been endorsed by the Government, and the object of this paper is to present the IKBS proposals, and specifically the IKBS pro gramme proposed by the Alvey Committee, for industrial and business consumption.
Expert systems for management: Research and applications
Authors: Blanning Robert W.
Published: March 2007

Management scientists and systems designers have long recognized that in some cases objective real world data con tained in their models and systems should be supplemented by subjective data elicited from experienced managers. The recent but growing application of expert system technology to mana gement problems is providing a framework for capturing and using expert knowledge in management systems. In this paper we identify fruitful areas for research and application of expert systems in management.
Emerging communications technology paradigms
Authors: More Elizabeth A. , Laird Roderick K.
Published: March 2007

This paper examines the complex subject of communica tions technology by using the notion of emerging 'paradigms'. In so doing, it focuses on the following key areas. It provides an overview of the communications technology; addresses the concept of 'paradigm' and relates it to contemporary interna tional and national (Australian) communication theory and research practice concerning such technology; and finally it considers how such emergent paradigms might affect the tradi tional study of communication.
The selection and implementation of a computerised information retrieval system in a small information unit
Authors: Blakeman Karen
Published: March 2007

The selection and implementation of an information retri eval software package in a small pharmaceutical information unit is described. Its initial application to the unit's product complaints system is outlined together with other current and proposed developments. These include a database of the slide collection and an index of information sources available in the library. The manner in which some of the information unit's reporting procedures have been rationalised is also discussed.
Weighting, ranking and relevance feedback in a front—end system
Authors: Robertson S.E. , Thompson C.L. , Macaskill M.J. , Bovey J.D.
Published: March 2007

A prototype front-end system—Cirt—which permits weighting, ranking and relevance feedback on a traditional IR system—Data—Star—is described and discussed. Cirt is based on an integrated theory of search term weighting, document ranking and modification of weights based on relevance feed back. Previous laboratory tests on various aspects of the theory have led to the need for further evaluation in an operational environment; the intention of Cirt is to make such evaluation possible. The operating environment is described and the de sign of the system is discussed, including the machine to machine host/front-end dialogue, the user interface and some aspects of the programming. A project currently under way to evaluate Cirt against traditional retrieval methods under oper ational conditions is described. The article concludes with a brief word on the future prospects for this type of retrieval.
A database translator of nuclear reaction data for international data exchange
Authors: Chiba Masaki , Katayama Toshiyuki , Tanaka Hajime
Published: March 2007

A practical experience in the development of a database translator is reported for use with nuclear reaction databases. The database translator provides for the exchange of nuclear reaction data between a national centre and an international centre with nuclear reaction databases.

It is composed of three levels: block level, section level and code level. The translation technique adapted is one usual in programming language translation having very hospitable rules. Some difficulties similar to natural language translation are discussed, since these two databases have different schema of data compilation.

The significance of the database translator is that it enables the data, which is compiled for the specific interest of a given community, to circulate internationally. The success of devel oping the database translator has identified, in practice, a new method of international cooperation, especially in a research oriented field.
Information management in practice. Case study 2
Authors: Nunn Hilary
Published: March 2007

A description of Chem Systems as a chemical engineering consultancy and its general information requirements is given. The background to the purchase of INMAGIC software and its initial applications is then provided. Alternative uses of this software have been made and a number of non-typical infor mation databases have been created. These include a file detailing multi-client titles and their purchasers, a file contain ing the names and addresses of contacts (glorified mailing list) and files containing CV type information for existing staff and external consultants. Some indication is made of uses to which these files have been put. Finally, some comments regarding how an information scientist became involved in organizing these files are presented.
Efforts to improve science communication within developing countries
Authors: Huggan Bob
Published: March 2007

An outline of the major constraints to the communication of scientific and technological information via popular and pro fessional media in the developing countries: description of how the scientific communities and the media in some of these countries have elected to address these communication prob lems ; detailed reports on the specific methodology and the results of one or two of these efforts; and recommendations for future actions.
Network cost analysis for planning configuration change in distributed systems
Authors: Arun Sen  , Rakes Terry , Franz Lori
Published: March 2007

A Distributed Processing Network (DPN) can assume many different physical topologies. However, when a network is viewed as a group of logical connections, only a few distinct topologies are possible. They are centralized, star, and fully connected. A fourth 'hybrid' topology which combines features of two or more of these is also possible. Each of these topolo gies, or structures, may have a unique cost to the firm as well as unique benefits.

This paper presents a network cost function for each of the possible logical network structures. These functions provide the basis for an interactive model which can be used to develop cost estimates. These estimates can then be used with a sep arate analysis of benefits to aid in network design or can be used to assist in budget preparation when configuration changes are planned. A bank case study is provided to illustrate the use of the model based on these cost functions.