Asymptotics of Largest Components in Combinatorial Structures

Given integers m and n, we study the probability that structures of size n have all components of size at most m. The results are given in term of a generalized Dickman function of n/m.     

Modeling aptitude test validity from cognitive components.

Cognitive component analysis of aptitude tests has developed in response to concerns about the nature of the capabilities that are reflected in test scores; as yet cognitive components have not been examined as ability measures in their own right. The current study with test data from 104 undergraduates (i.e., 45 verbal items from the Cognitive Ability Test and the Lorge-Thorndyke Intelligence Test and 35 verbal analogies as aptitude and component scores, and American College Testing Program Examination scores as measures of achievement) examined component validity by using covariance modeling to test hypotheses about the relationships between components, aptitude, and achievement. Support was found for cognitive components to (a) model individual differences in verbal aptitude, (b) decompose test validity (i.e., explain correlations with external measures), and (c) differentially predict achievement. Across-item equivalency of comparable components was not supported, even when content differences were controlled. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Managerial work behavior: an integration of results from two major approaches.

This study integrates results from two major approaches to studying managerial work, one focusing on work content, the other on work process. Clusters of managers having similar work behaviors were first identified in terms of each approach, and major differences among the manager clusters were described. The study next found a moderate convergence in the results of the two approaches. Clusters of managers having similar work content in their jobs were often associated with one or two clusters of work process characteristics. However, the differences between the two clusters of process characteristics associated with one content cluster were often very great. The implicating of these findings for the study of managerial work are discussed and future research directions proposed.     

Construct validity: Construct representation versus nomothetic span.

Presents a new approach to construct validation research: construct modeling. A paradigm shift from functionalism to structuralism in psychology permits 2 types of research to be separated. Construct representation is concerned with identifying the theoretical mechanisms that underlie responses, such as information processes, strategies, and knowledge stores. Three approaches to assessing construct representation are presented: (1) mathematical modeling, particularly as used in cognitive psychology; (2) psychometric modeling, as exemplified by latent trait modeling; and (3) multicomponent latent trait modeling. Nomothetic span is concerned with the network of relationships of a test score with other variables. These 2 types of construct validation research address different issues and require different types of data. For each type of construct validation research, appropriate methods and quantitative models are presented to test a priori hypotheses about construct validity. Examples are presented, and the construct modeling approach is compared with both the traditional psychometric approach and the information-processing approach to establishing theoretical mechanisms in performance. (41 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Validity and generalizability of student ratings from between-classes and within-class data.

Examined the generalizability and validity of student (N?=?485) ratings by studying within-class and between-classes correlations of ratings with other variables for regular faculty teaching lecture courses as well as for graduate assistants teaching recitation sections. Results indicate that most ratings were highly generalizable but only some were related to learning and that certain aspects of both generalizability and validity varied with instructor's role and with level of data. The implications of these findings for the evaluation of teaching are discussed with reference to 2 alternative paradigms: construct validity and criterion development. (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Generalizability of MBA degree and socioeconomic effects on business school graduates' salaries.

Tested the generalizability of findings reported by J. Pfeffer (see record 1978-26287-001) by examining the determinants of starting and current salaries for 314 graduates (mean age 29 yrs) from the business schools of 3 large state universities. Results support Pfeffer's conclusion that a master's in business administration (MBA) is particularly useful for persons not coming from the highest socioeconomic backgrounds. A variety of factors identified by Pfeffer were controlled for, and the possession of the MBA degree was positively related to starting salary irrespective of socioeconomic origin but was positively related to current salary only for those not coming from upper-middle and upper-class backgrounds. Current salary sex differences only were observed for Ss from upper-class socioeconomic backgrounds. This was attributable to a salary advantage possessed by upper middle- and upper-class males. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Modelling the impacts of electric vehicle recharging on the Western Australian electricity supply system

This study investigates the potential impacts of EVs on the Western Australian electricity grid, the constraints on the system’s capacity to supply electricity for EV recharging and the options for managing those potential impacts and constraints. Western Australia is geographically isolated and the electricity network has no interconnection with neighbouring regions. The State energy and vehicle markets are independent of issues occurring in neighbouring states. Western Australia is a relatively clean sample space. This study eliminates uncertainty in vehicle adoption rates from analysis by assuming that all new vehicles are EVs. This gives a worst case scenario in terms of load growth and shows that it will over 200,000 EVs, which represents 10% of the fleet, before there is any significant impact on peak demand even if charging behaviours are left unfettered. The study also shows, however, that the electricity supply and transmission industry can achieve significant short- and long-term benefits if vehicle charging behaviours are managed from the outset, through, for example, demand management or structured tariffs. In the short-term, providing incentive for off-peak recharging increases utilisation of existing transmission capacity, and cheaper, more efficient base-load generation infrastructure. In the long-term, investment in more underutilised capacity can be avoided.     

Solving verbal analogies: Some cognitive components of intelligence test items.

Studied the role of relationships in solving analogies to determine (a) if the relational concept expressed in the analogy, as a task property, influences the specific cognitive attitudes which are reflected in analogy item performance; and (b) if individual differences in solving analogies can be largely attributed to individual differences in processing relationships. Data from 222 undergraduates suggest that although relational concepts influence the cognitive aptitudes which are reflected in analogy item performance, success in solving analogies does not depend on individual differences in some major aspects of processing relationships. Implications for ability measurement are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)