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Operational analysis is defined as a part of formative evaluation, taking place while a course is in progress. Student-perceived problems, as reflected by student-initiated reports, are the source of data for this phase of formative evaluation. The self-reporting techniques can reveal individual differences in student/learning-environment interactions which are not obtainable (or more difficult to obtain) by other means. The individual student's perceptions can then be used to improve the instructional program. This technique (report) is described, and some applications of the data for administrative purposes are discussed. The administrative staffing for the Project IMPACT operational computer-administered instruction course is described. (Author)

Responses from 1,613 former servicemen with Spanish surnames were examined to evaluate Spanish surname recognition as a means of identifying persons of Latin American birth or ancestry. Questionnaires were mailed to 5,019 servicemen who had: (1) been inductees or enlistees in the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps; (2) left active duty in the first 6 months of 1972; (3) a Reserve military obligation; and (4) a Spanish surname according to one or more procedures. Procedures determining whether a name was Spanish were all computerized. All but one depended on sorting the names alphabetically and comparing each with lists of Spanish surnames. The remaining procedure, developed by Buechley, depended on letter combinations and surname endings. The lists used were: (1) census surnames, (2)"broad" Spanish surnames, (3) "narrow" Spanish surnames, and (4) Morton's Spanish surnames. Although a determination was made via computer as to whether each person had a "narrow" Spanish first name, this fact was used only in the analysis. Some findings were: (1) outside certain areas Spanish surname recognition included a high proportion of persons who did not meet other criteria indicating Latin American birth or ancestry; and (2) within five Southwestern states, increasing proportions of persons who could not be classified as Spanish at increasing education and aptitude levels were included. (NQ)

This is a collection of 12 working papers dealing with instructional management systems (IMS). The papers are divided into three sections--systems definition, pedagogical studies, and hardware/software studies. IMS is generically defined as a set of procedures and mechanisms for gathering and processing pupil data and returning useful information to those persons responsible for some phase of pupil performance. This definition requires further consideration of its two components: (1) the communications system used for moving data through IMS and (2) the data-gathering techniques, processing requirements, output report generation, and audiences involved in the successful operation of IMS. The first component is discussed in the first section of the papers, the second component is dealt with in the remaining two sections. (Author/IRT)

A series of tests using OpScan 100DM optical scanner were carried out to determine whether it can mechanically transport paper that does not comply with the manufacturer's specifications for weight and size and see if standard paper stock has sufficient quality, opacity, and brightness to permit it to be used to print forms for the OpScan 100DM. Other objectives were to establish validity and reliability indices and to determine whether standard ink has sufficient reflectivity to be used to print forms for the OpScan 100DM. This report describes the tests and their results. (SK)