Structural balance theory (SBT) has maintained a venerable status in the psychological literature for more than 5 decades. One important problem pertaining to SBT is the approximation of structural or generalized balance via the partitioning of the vertices of a signed graph into "K" clusters. This "K"-balance partitioning problem also has more…

Data are often a continuous function of a variable such as time observed over some interval. One or more such functions might be observed for each subject. The extension of classical data analytic techniques to such functions is discussed. (Author/JKS)

A multivariate reduced-rank growth curve model is proposed that extends the univariate reduced rank growth curve model to the multivariate case, in which several response variables are measured over multiple time points. The proposed model allows us to investigate the relationships among a number of response variables in a more parsimonious way…

The dangers of overlooking time-honored cautions in the making causal interpretations of data analyses from correlational studies when using highly sophisticated computer programs and their associated techniques are discussed. (JKS)

Based on seminal work by Lord and Hambleton, Swaminathan, and Rogers, this article is an analytical, graphical, and conceptual reminder that item response theory (IRT) parameter invariance only holds for perfect model fit in multiple populations or across multiple conditions and is thus an ideal state. In practice, one attempts to quantify the…

Methodological implications of a person-oriented, holistic-interactionistic perspective in research on individual development are outlined, desirable properties of a mathematical model of a phenomenon are discussed, and selected methods for carrying out person-oriented research are briefly overviewed. These methods are: (1) the classificatory…

This paper discusses the principles underlying discriminant analysis and constructs a simulated data set to illustrate its methods. Discriminant analysis is a multivariate technique for identifying the best combination of variables to maximally discriminate between groups. Discriminant functions are established on existing groups and used to…

Complex decision-making environments often demand that a range of alternative strategies be identified and compared for their shared value in achieving desired ends. Simple parametric statistical procedures such as analysis of variance and discriminant function analysis can be used in such situations to compare (using selected criteria) the value…