When no prior information of differential item functioning (DIF) exists for items in a test, either the rank-based or iterative purification procedure might be preferred. The rank-based purification selects anchor items based on a preliminary DIF test. For a preliminary DIF test, likelihood ratio test (LRT) based approaches (e.g.,…

This paper proposes an extension of linear equating that may be useful in one of two fairly common assessment scenarios. One is where different students have taken different combinations of test forms. This might occur, for example, where students have some free choice over the exam papers they take within a particular qualification. In this…

The estimation of RxC ecological inference contingency tables from aggregate data is one of the most salient and challenging problems in the field of quantitative social sciences, with major solutions proposed from both the ecological regression and the mathematical programming frameworks. In recent decades, there has been a drive to find…

Factor analysis is widely utilized to identify latent factors underlying the observed variables. This paper presents a comprehensive comparative study of two widely used methods for determining the optimal number of factors in factor analysis, the K1 rule, and parallel analysis, along with a more recently developed method, the bass-ackward method.…

This study aims to address a gap in the social and behavioral sciences literature concerning interaction effects between latent factors in multiple-group analysis. By comparing two approaches for estimating latent interactions within multiple-group analysis frameworks using simulation studies and empirical data, we assess their relative merits.…

Purpose: Learning organization (LO) concept has received much attention in the last decades. The purpose of an LO is to proactively shape its future by fostering a culture of continuous learning among its members. This approach empowers the organization to adapt, evolve and innovate, aligning with the needs and aspirations of both internal and…