Showing papers on "Adaptation (computer science) published in 1987"

Organizational Adaptation to Performance Downturns: An Interpretation-Based Perspective

Abstract: Organizational adaptation to performance downturns has prompted numerous studies. Although these studies have focused on organizational or decision makers' characteristics influencing adaptation, neither the adaptation process nor where in the process these influences operate has been detailed. A conceptual framework for understanding adaptation to performance downturns by incorporating contingency-based literature into an interpretative-based model is described. Factors which inform decision makers' interpretations and response choices are considered and implications of the framework are discussed.

The keystroke-level model for user performance time with interactive systems

Abstract: There are ~eg:N ms:poets of aser~emt,xu{er ~rforma~ce tha~ sys*em designers sh~d sys~emarka{~ ~ e r. This arlic|e prop~yses a ~im~}e m~eL the Neys{T{.>ke-Levd Medea, for predkd~g o,~e aspe~'t M w2rferma:mee: the time i:t takes ,a~ expel u~wr ~;:o perform a givers *az~ m~ a give= eom,p~:{er sys{~a. The model is b.ae~ e~ counting keystrokes :a~d @~er |owdevel operatkms., i:~c{udir~g the user's ~me=taI ~re~aratioas arid the* system's re Pe e is coded fa ~¢~ge~ of ~e~e {~*rati~as an.d epe~a~r Nm¢~ s~:~ Ce Nve Ne~c~i~s,~ HeurNfic n~}es are :gh'ef~ Nr p'redicti~g ~here men~al prelaara~ie~s ¢~ce~r. When tested against{ data ¢m 1|) diffe:re~ systems, ~N~I's pee~ic~ifye e~f N 2t ~reem fee tMividual ~asks.. A= examNe N gia'ee m Rlus{ra{e h(~ NEe m~l .eaa ~ ~aed to pr~dece parametric predie{km.g add brow set~:sifivt{y aaaiysis c:a:a be ~:sexi m redeem ce~e|~.sfo~s in the face of ~mc,e~aia as:sumt~ti~o~:s, Finally, the model ~s e@m~ar~ ~o ~ereral s*mp|er ver,s&ms. "INe N, ter~fiaJ fete ~k~r ~he Keystroke*Level Model i.n gys{em de:skgn is Fhe dcsigs and evaluation of imeracti,~e computer systems sho~ald ~ake imo accnun~ ~he ~o~a! per~brma~bat iss:ues~ oae major cau:se is the ab:>ence of grmance do so~, exist a~ the present @he." Ramsey and A~w~.x>d {/51~ after reviewing the human L~c~ors literature pertb~em to computer sys-tem:s, conclude 1hat while ~here exists eno~gh material ~o develop a qualitative 'human factors design guide," ~here is i.asufficient material ~br a "quantitative reference hand book2' This paper presents one s~scific quanti~aive analysis took a simple model for the time it takes a user ~o perform a task wi~.h a given …

Interactive Video: An Examination of Use and Effectiveness.

Abstract: In the last few years, interactive video has made tremendous advances in hardware with corresponding reduction in cost. This article discusses the nature of interactive video, its educational use, evidence for effectiveness, and the design of interactive video courseware. The evidence seems to indicate that the medium is both effective and efficient, though few rigorous studies have been done. While a systematic approach is followed for producing interactive video, little discussion of design models and variables exists. The development or adaptation of consistent design models and further study on effectiveness, efficiency, and cost effectiveness are suggested.

The concept of adaptation: examining alternatives for the study of nursing phenomena.

Abstract: Clients' adaptation is frequently studied in nursing and used to guide nursing practice. Many nurse authors have suggested that adaptation may be a unique conceptual framework for nursing. Other nurse authors have suggested, however, that in focusing on adaptation, nursing limits its focus to changing clients to fit the environment and neglects to change the social system or environment to meet clients' needs. The purpose of this article is to argue that adaptation theory limits the range of clients' acceptable responses to change. Adaptation theory assumes clients are responsible for adjusting to the norms or standards established by a relatively immutable environment. An alternate set of assumptions broadens the range of acceptable responses by clients and targets the environment for change. On the basis of these assumptions, directives are given for nursing research aimed at studying clients' responses to change.

Interaction Models and the Principled Design of Interactive Systems

Abstract: System design should be controlled by sound engineering principles. We discuss issues concerned with the derivation and formalisation of such principles that may be employed in the construction of specifications of interactive systems and in their validation. We present the state of a research method for the design of interactive systems, which is currently being used and is indeed incorporating user engineering principles into the design process.

Cognitive and social models of the user

Abstract: A user model is a description of the user created or selected by a program to enable it to adapt its behaviour to the user. From a brief review of current attempts at user modelling, three broad types of model are distinguished: those based solely on the user's own explicit self-descriptions (‘direct models); those which try to fit the user into one of a number of stored stereotypes (‘stereotype’ models); and those which attempt to model the user's intentions and plans (‘intentional’ models). The adequacy of these approaches to user modelling is evaluated according to the degree to which they are capable of faithfully representing relevant aspects of the user. It is suggested that even the most sophisticated of the approaches, the intentional, falls a long way short of what might be achieved. This is because the intentional approach is based on modelling the assumed cognitive state of users, including their plans, intentions and goals. Drawing on studies of human-human interaction, it is argued that the cognitive states of other interactants are not available to a speaker although adaptation to others’ conversational moves appears to be successfully achieved. It is therefore suggested that current attempts to construct better models of the user's cognitive state are misconceived, and that attention should focus instead on providing programs with models of the system itself and models of the interaction, to allow reflexive reasoning and meta-level commentary on the user-system dialogue.

An Adaptation of Cameron's Model of Organizational Effectiveness at the Academic Department Level in Two-Year Community Colleges. Working Paper Series No. 1-87.

Abstract: In November 1985, a study was conducted within 10 State University of New York community colleges to determine whether faculty and department heads in a profession-based department (i.e., Business) and a discipline-based department (i.e., English) had the same perceptions of organizational effectiveness characteristics and organizational culture types in their departments; whether faculty and department heads had the same perceptions of these areas; and whether selected demographic variables affected these perceptions. A survey instrument was mailed to 263 faculty and department heads asking respondents to indicate the extent to which they perceived certain organizational characteristics operating within their departments and the type of organizational culture present. Study findings, based on a 60% response rate or 158, included the following: (1) the maximum effectiveness dimensions were employee satisfaction, student educational satisfaction, system openness, and organizational health; (2) the lowest ratings were given to professional development and academic resources; (3) the "hierarchy culture," with its emphasis on technical expertise and a system of evaluation and direction, emerged as the dominant culture, followed by the "clan culture," with its emphasis on flexibility and individual differences; (4) junior faculty perceived their departments as more supportive and caring than their senior colleagues; and (5) there were no significant differences between the perceptions of the Business and English faculty regarding the organizational culture type of their departments. A literature review and a discussion of the Cameron model of organizational effectiveness are included. A 13-page bibliography is included. (EJV)

Functional description of CAR : an interactive system for computer aided routing

Abstract: CAR is an interactive software package which can be used to support operational distribution management. It has been developed at the Center for Mathematics and Computer Science (CWI) in the period 1983-1986. The document contains a general description of CAR, a detailed description of the interface between CAR and software in its environment (data entry and report generation), and a user manual in the form of a functional description of all available commands.

The political adaptation of second-generation Australians

Abstract: x

Knowledge-based adaptive signal processing

Abstract: In this paper, the use of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) techniques for improving the performance of adaptive signal processing algorithms is considered. Three potential application areas are identified: (1) The selection and adaptation of secondary control parameters and underlying models, (2) intelligent search methods for adaptation algorithms, and (3) the integration of information from various sources. Various A.I. methods will be proposed for each of these problem areas.

Modifying Copyrighted Software: Adjusting Copyright Doctrine to Accommodate a Technology

Abstract: This article addresses the question of whether computer software users do have or ought to have the right to modify legally-obtained software, either themselves or through the services of another party. It analyzes and critiques some possible defenses to a software vendor's charge of copyright infringement arising out of such modification. None of these defenses prove to be satisfactory, but the fault does not lie with them. Rather, the fault lies with the overall analysisframework provided by the current copyright statute, an overly technical and insensitive approach that obscures the real issues and policies that should be brought to bear. A new framework of analysis is suggested, one that accounts for the opinions and needs of both software developers and the user community. The conclusion drawn from this new analysis is that users must have the right to modify theirsoftware and to employ third parties to perform such modification, thus creating an open marketforsofiware modification services in line with the American free enterprise tradition and the purposes of American intellectual property law. The adaptability of computer software is one of this technology's most important characteristics.' Flaws' in the software can be corrected, new func*Professor of Law, University of Pittsburgh School of Law. This article was written in fulfillment of the author's responsibilities as a Greyhound Research Award winner for the 1986-87 academic year. The author wishes to thank Professor David Kaye and the Center for Law, Science, and Technology at Arizona State University College of Law for their support of this research effort. The author would also like to thank her research assistant Mary Meisner for her patient, meticulous, and intelligent work on this article. 'See infra notes 138-40, 164-65 and accompanying text for a more detailed discussion of the adaptability of software. Various terms are used to refer to the activity of altering software. The author prefers the terms "modify" and "modifications" to "adapt" and "adaptation." Although the latter terms are used in the special copyright statute provision applicable to software modifications, see 17 U.S.C. § 117 (1982), "adaptation," with its overtones of novels being "adapted" to dramatic plays and dramas

The adaptation of the cooperation structure to the research process and scientific performances in research groups

Abstract: A theoretical approach was developed to raising the effectivenes of research groups as adaptable systems. If performance is the aim of the research group, adaptation to the changing conditions in the research process has to be one of its essential principles underlying its development. Empirically it was shown that several independent components of the cooperation structure that were simultaneously adapted to different changing conditions exerted a strong influence on performance. There is the hypothesis that the principle of adaptation of cooperation structure can be generally extended to the adaptation of other group characteristics.

Information systems design for the community health services

Abstract: This system is concerned with the design and implementation of a community health information system which fulfils some of the local needs of fourteen nursing and para-medical professions in a district health authority, whilst satisfying the statutory requirements of the NHS Korner steering group for those professions. A national survey of community health computer applications, documented in the form of an applications register, shows the need for such a system. A series of general requirements for an informations systems design methodology are identified, together with specific requirements for this problem situation. A number of existing methodologies are reviewed, but none of these were appropriate for this application. Some existing approaches, tools and techniques are used to define a more suitable methodology. It is unreasonable to rely on one single general methodology for all types of application development. There is a need for pragmatism, adaptation and flexibility. In this research, participation in the development stages by those who will eventually use the system was thought desirable. This was achieved by forming a representative design group. Results would seem to show a highly favourable response from users to this participation which contributed to the overall success of the system implemented. A prototype was developed for the chiropody and school nursing staff groups of Darlington health authority, and evaluations show that a significant number of the problems and objectives of those groups have been successfully addressed; the value of community health information has been increased; and information has been successfully fed back to staff and better utilised.