Re: ICT qualifications -- A Solution?

• From: Samer Ismail <stipenn_at_stipenn.yahoo.invalid> <stipenn_at_stipenn.yahoo.invalid>
• Date: Fri, 07 Feb 2003 07:24:40 -0000
• Message-ID: <b1vmvo+bdju_at_...>

<<Disclaimer: I work for NAQT, but I am not speaking on their 
behalf.>>

--- In quizbowl_at_yahoogroups.com, tak_seorangpun <no_reply_at_y...> wrote:
> Suppose that fewer than four teams play in a division at an SCT. 
> According to NAQT's new rules, the champion does not qualify
> automatically for the ICT.  NAQT will use a secret formula to decide
> which teams qualify -- 

I can understand NAQT's reluctance to release the formula being used. 

In any case, while the formula itself may be a secret, the data 
plugged into that formula most certainly isn't. When all is said and 
done, you'll be able to look at the data yourself and decide if there 
are any teams that were "robbed" of a spot.

> and nothing that NAQT has revealed about the
> formula rules out the possibility that the champion might *not* get
> invited while a *different* team from the same division of the same
> SCT does get invited.  Can someone from NAQT assure us that either 
(1)
> the secret formula guarantees that this will not happen, or (2) it's
> possible that this might happen, and NAQT has thought about this and
> has decided that it makes sense?

I can't post an answer to this one way or another, but I can say 
something from past experience with NAQT and with running tournaments:

(1) No matter what system is used, somebody is going to be unhappy 
about it, and somebody is going to "just miss out;"
(2) No one can foresee every eventuality, and any system that did 
would be complicated almost to the point of uselessness;
(3) NAQT has never said "X is the formula that will be used for the 
rest of time." If the results bother a lot of people, I'm sure 
they'll change it for next year. 
(4) If you want to suggest a system for choosing teams, send it to 
NAQT, or post it here. NAQT people do actually read this board.

--STI