Spectral distribution method and exact shell-model predictions for the stre
ngth sums of different transition operators are compared in detail for the
J = 0, T - T-z = 0 states of V-46 and Sc-50 using the full pf shell. Good a
greement of both models is observed in the high level density region of the
energy spectrum, where chaotic motion is dominant, and larger discrepancie
s are observed in the ground state region, where nuclear motion is more reg
ular. The agreement in the chaotic region becomes especially good in the 59
86 dimensional space of Sc-50, illustrating the quality of the statistical
theory in large configuration spaces. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All ri
ghts reserved.