When Evaluating Purchased Software It Is Often Helpful to Use

question 160

Multiple Choice

When evaluating purchased software it is often helpful to use a decision table format to consider various issues and potential problems with the software.A question (or questions) to be asked in a decision table which might uncover any "skeletons in the closet" regarding a software package is

• A) "How many other installations that are 'second-reference organizations' have used the software, and for how long?"
• B) "How stable is the software vendor?"
• C) "How closely does the software fit the needs of the company?"
• D) "How flexible is the software?"

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Definitions:

Variable Ratio

A reinforcement schedule used in operant conditioning that rewards a response after an unpredictable number of responses, leading to a high and steady rate of response.

Fixed Ratio

A schedule of reinforcement where a response is reinforced only after a specified number of responses, often used in behavioral studies.

Variable Interval

A reinforcement schedule where a response is rewarded after a variable and unpredictable time period has elapsed.

Fixed-interval Schedule

A timing-based reinforcement scheme where a specific time interval must elapse before a response is rewarded.