1,721,023 research outputs found

    An effective approach for test-sheet composition with large-scale item banks

    No full text
    [[abstract]]A well-constructed test sheet not only helps the instructor evaluate the learning status of the students, but also facilitates the diagnosis of the problems embedded in the students' learning process. This paper addresses the problem of selecting proper test items to compose a test sheet that conforms to such assessment requirements as average difficulty degree, average discrimination degree, length of test time, number of test items, and specified distribution of concept weights. A mixed integer programming model is proposed to formulate the problem of selecting a set of test items that best fit the multiple assessment requirements. As the problem is a generalization of the knapsack problem, which is known to be Xg-hard in the literature, computational challenge hinders the development of efficient solution methods. Seeking approximate solutions in an acceptable time is a viable alternative. In this paper, we propose two heuristic algorithms, based upon iterative adjustment, for finding quality approximate solutions. Extensive experiments are also conducted to assess the performances of different solution methods. Statistics from a series of computational experiments indicate that our proposed algorithms can produce near-optimum combinations of the test items subject to the specified requirements in a reasonable time. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.[[note]]SC

    On the development of a computer-assisted testing system with genetic test sheet-generating approach

    No full text
    [[abstract]]Since the last decade, computer-assisted testing has proven to be an efficient and effective way to evaluating students' learning status such that proper tutoring strategies can be adopted to improve-their learning performance. A good test will not only help the instructor evaluate the learning status of the students, but also facilitate the diagnosis of the problems embedded in the students' learning process. One of the most important and challenging issues in conducting a good test is the construction of test sheets that can meet various assessment requirements. A previous study has indicated that selecting test items to best fit multiple assessment requirements can be formulated as a mixed integer programming model. The problem is known to be NP-hard in the literature and, hence, computational challenges hinder the development of efficient solution methods. As a sequel, we instead seek quality approximate solutions in a reasonable time. Two approximation methods based upon a genetic approach are developed. Statistics from a series of computational experiments indicate that our approach is able to efficiently generate near-optimal combinations of test items that satisfy the specified requirements or constraints.[[note]]SC

    Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis

    Get PDF
    The present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed

    Variations on the Author

    Get PDF
    “Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
    corecore