objectives, financial position, accounting sys- tem and procedures, personnel, facilities, products, programs, services, operations, accomplishments, and deficiencies. 2. In edu- cation and training, the practice of “sitting in”
on classes as if the individual were a student but not participating in class discussions or exercises, writing term papers, or taking exams. Auditors are guests or visitors; they receive no grades or credits.
authentic assessment See alternative assess- ment.
authenticate Establishing the validity of a user of a service, facility, or a piece of equip- ment (such as a server).
authentication The process of establishing the validity of a user before allowing access to requested information or a facility. May
authentication systems 51 automated data collection
involve tokens, identification cards, pass- words, or account numbers.
authentication systems Technology stan- dards for automatically authenticating users to multiple Web sites (e.g., Sun Microsystem’s Identity Server 6.0). Some systems are based on the Security Assertion Markup Language.
authentication token A d e v i c e u s e d t o authenticate a user of a secure system by some means of challenge/response, time-based code sequences, or one-time passwords.
authentic evaluation S e e p e r f o r m a n c e assessment.
authoring platform The operating system, such as Windows or Operating System 9, that runs on the computer equipment used to develop informational, educational, or enter- tainment multimedia programs.
authoring system or software 1. A program used to develop computer-based training. It typically provides for analysis, management, branching, graphics, and, sometimes, anima- tion.2.In multimedia, the process of program- ming text, images, audio, and motion picture clips into a sequenced program.
authorization The process of determining what types of activities are permitted in a secure area or with equipment or facilities.
authorization bills Legislation that creates and funds new federal programs, extends authorized programs, or amends programs.
Although some authorization bills are effec- tive for only 1 year, most are multi-year.
authorization cards Cards used by union organizers to sign up the number of employees needed to petition for a union election (30%
must sign up).
Authorization for Use of Military Force A joint resolution of Congress authorizing the use of U.S. Armed Forces against those responsible for recent attacks against the U.S.
Approved September 18, 2001.
Authorization to Participate (ATP) An iden- tification card issued to persons enrolled in the Food Stamps Program that states how many stamps they are authorized to receive and is valid only for the month issued. The card is brought to an issuing center, usually a bank, store, or post office, where the food stamp coupons are issued. The coupons can be used to buy food at any store that accepts them, but
tobacco, pet food, paper goods, alcoholic bev- erages, and soap cannot be purchased with the stamps.
authorized provider Under the Civilian Health and Medical Programs of the Uni- formed Services (CHAMPUS), a physician or other individual care provider, or a hospital or supplier, approved by CHAMPUS to pro- vide medical care and supplies.
autism A developmental disability whose manifestations include absence of language or language delays, resistance to affection, and other problem social behaviors. About 70% of individuals with autism also have mental retardation. Although the causes of autism are unknown, there is some evidence that it is linked to brain abnormalities. However, fol- lowing intensive education and training focus- ing on communication, usually in an institu- tional setting, autistic behavior can be changed.
Autism Society of America (ASA) The lead- ing source of information and referral on autism. Over 20,000 members are connected through a working network of over 200 chap- ters in nearly every state. The mission of ASA is to promote lifelong access and opportunity for all individuals within the autism spectrum, and their families, to be fully participating, included members of their community. Con- tact: ASA, 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 300, Bethesda, MD 20814-3067; phone 301- 657-0881 or 800-3AUTISM; fax 301-657- 0869; e-mail [email protected]; Web site www.autism-society.org/).
autogenetic training or learning Learning that is unprompted and unforced, self-gener- ated and initiated, and spontaneously activated.
autologous transfusion Blood transfused during or following surgery that is obtained in advance from the patient early enough to allow the body to replenish its supply of blood. It is the safest type of transfusion because the blood is totally compatible.
automated data collection A means of col- lecting data for work measurement that involves programming computers whose terminals are used to perform tasks to record, tabulate, summarize, and report employee per- formance of those tasks (e.g., key strokes per
automated external defibrillator (AED) 52 avatar
minute, lines of type produced per hour, errors per hour, and so on).
automated external defibrillator (AED) A device used to deliver a machine-controlled shock to the heart to restore normal rhythm following a sudden cardiac arrest or episode of severe heart fibrillation (a disorganized, ineffective heart rhythm that interferes with the pumping of blood). The device electroni- cally assesses the patient and determines whether the reason no pulse is felt is because the heart has stopped or the rhythm is disor- ganized. It prepares to release an electric shock that can interrupt the poor rhythm and then delivers a defibrillating shock only if it is needed.
automated teller machine (ATM) A 24-hour, 7-day-per-week source of cash to persons hav- ing an account and a personal identification number (PIN). Each machine holds from
$20,000 to $50,000 in cash in walk-up or drive-up vending machines.
automated ticket/boarding pass (ATB) I n travel management, a card that matches the size of an airline ticket. Usually processed at the boarding gate, it contains an electronic strip encoded with information and is used in place of a ticket/boarding pass.
automated voice response system (AVRS) A telephone system that enables a caller to obtain information, such as product, corporate or personal account, or tax information 24 hours per day without waiting for a customer service representative. Such systems some- times require subscribers to enter a confiden- tial personal password identification number, using a touch-tone telephone and a menu of options, and they are “talked through” each step in the process.
automatic camera A camera that performs the functions of loading, setting shutter speed and lens aperture, and rewinding automatically.
automatic enrollment A system for enrolling employees in training programs in which peo- ple are automatically and routinely enrolled in appropriate training upon hiring, job change, promotion, and so on.
automation Use of programmable machines, devices, or robots that can perform certain functions. Examples are computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing
(CAM), computer-aided process planning (CAPP), automated handling systems (AMH), and automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS).
automobile handling charge In employee relocation, a charge for the movement of an automobile that is in addition to charges for the transport of household goods.
autonomous work groups See work teams.
autopoesis The principle that says that an organism’s deepest motivation is to renew itself continually in such a way that its inner nature is maintained.
auto-regression A statistical technique used to identify a general trend in data rather than individual values.
auxiliary aids and services As defined by theAmericans with Disabilities Act of 1990,
“a wide range of services and devices for ensuring effective communication” (but use of advanced technology is not required), such as qualified interpreters, note takers, computer- aided transcription services, written materials, telephone handset amplifiers, assistive listen- ing systems, telephones compatible with hear- ing aids, closed caption decoders, open and closed captioning, telecommunications devices for deaf persons (TTYs) videotext dis- plays, or other effective methods of making aurally delivered materials available to indi- viduals with hearing impairments. Auxiliary aids and services also include qualified read- ers, taped texts, audio recordings, Braille materials, large-print materials, or other effec- tive methods of making visually delivered materials available to individuals with visual impairments.
auxiliary personnel See temporary employees.
availability forecast Used in human resources forecasting. Availability is determined by computer analysis that projects the future capability of the current personnel pool over a specified time frame. The analysis takes into account all anticipated changes in the organi- zation’s personnel pool due to such factors as projected terminations, hires, and transfers using historical data and statistics to arrive at the projections.
avatar A three-dimensional graphical design that represents the physical self. Sometimes used in virtual chat rooms on the Internet.
average cost 53 Azusa
average cost The total dollar cost incurred during some relevant period of time divided by the total number of units produced in that period.
average final compensation A retirement plan provision that bases retirement benefits on a member’s earnings in the years immedi- ately preceding retirement. Typically, the average of the 5 highest earning years in the last 10 years or the highest 3-year average is used for the calculation.
average length of stay (ALS) In health care, the mean number of days of hospitalization required for a specific procedure or the aver- age number of days patients at a given facility remain hospitalized.
average maturity The average maturity of a fund’s bond portfolio is the average time it takes those bonds to mature. A bond matures when it stops paying interest and repays the investors’ principal.
average payment rate (APR) In health care, the amount the Health Care Financing Admin- istration could pay to a HMO or CMP per member per month (PMPM) under a Medicare contract, although not the actual amount because the law requires HMOs and CMPs to compare the average payment rate to the group’s adjusted community rate to deter- mine whether the PMPM is an appropriate amount.See also adjusted average per capita cost.
Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001 (ATSA) Signed into law November 19, 2001, the Act requires that: (1) most of the nation’s 28,000 baggage screeners and security guards become federal employees by November 19, 2002; (2) baggage screeners and security guards meet citizenship, educa- tion, and language requirements; (3) the Department of Transportation (DOT) hire (an estimated 12,000) new air marshals; and (4) the DOT’s newly formed Transportation Security Agency (TSA) hire 429 federal secu- rity directors, one for each of the nation’s air- ports, by February 2002.
Aviation Excise Tax of 1997 Reinstated avi- ation excise taxes, including both the 10%
ticket tax and the $6.00 international depar- ture tax. The taxes were levied on all ticket
purchases through September 30, 1997, regardless of the travel date.
aviophobia Fear of flying.
AV Video Multimedia Producer: Creating Dynamic Media for Business P u b l i s h e d monthly by PBI Media, LLC, 1201 Seven Locks Rd., Potomac, MD 20854 (Corporate Circulation: phone 301-354-2000; fax 301-738-7581. Subscriptions: AVVMP, P.O. Box 3034, Northbrook, IL 60065-3034;
phone 847-559-7314; fax 847-291-4816;
e - m a i l v i d @ m e d i a . c o m ; We b s i t e www.avvmmp.com/).
award An award is a form of reward. It is something bestowed or given, granted for something done. It is not compensation, although it can be either financial or nonmon- etary. It is a prize — a bonus, trophy, medal, decoration, citation, honor, premium, gift, present, grant, or testimonial. Awards are given to improve efficiency; encourage, rec- ognize, and reward outstanding achievement or performance; and improve employee moti- vation and morale. Awards include cash bonuses, savings bonds, jewelry, merchan- dise, travel, certificates of merit, plaques and trophies, and diplomas.
Award for Professional Excellence See SHRM Award for Professional Excellence.
axes Professional stock analysts who can move the price of stock by issuing a report or adjusting an earnings statement.
ayurvedic medicine An alternative form of medical treatment that originated in India more than 4000 years ago. It involves use of herbs, diet, and massage therapies by body type.
Azusa A computer virus that infects floppy disks. It is “caught” by booting from an infected floppy disk. When it has infected 32 disks, it scrambles the serial and parallel ports on the host system so that peripherals no longer work.
55
B
B2B Business-to-business.
B.A. Bachelor of Arts.
BAA-UC Birth and Adoption
Unemployment Compensation.
BAC Blood alcohol concentration.
BARS Behaviorally anchored rating scale.
BAT Breath alcohol technician.
B.B.A. Bachelor of Business Administration.
BBB Better Business Bureau.
BBIC Behavior-based incentive compensation.
BBS Bulletin board system.
BCBP Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.
BCIS Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.
BCNU Be seeing you (Internet abbreviation).
B.D. Bachelor of Divinity.
B.E. 1. Bachelor of Education.
2. Bachelor of Engineering.
BEA Bureau of Economic Analysis.
B-ECM Business electronic countermeasures.
B.E.E. Bachelor of Electrical Engineering.
BEI Behavioral event interview.
BEO Banquet event order.
BFOQ Bona fide occupational qualification.
BG Brigadier General O7 (Army military abbreviation).
BHI Better Hearing Institute.