Structural equation modeling (SEM) is being applied to ever more complex data types and questions, often requiring extensions such as regularization or novel fitting functions. To extend SEM, researchers currently need to completely reformulate SEM and its optimization algorithm -- a challenging and time-consuming task. In this paper, we introduce…

This study compared five common multilevel software packages via Monte Carlo simulation: HLM 7, M"plus" 7.4, R (lme4 V1.1-12), Stata 14.1, and SAS 9.4 to determine how the programs differ in estimation accuracy and speed, as well as convergence, when modeling multiple randomly varying slopes of different magnitudes. Simulated data…

Among the many methods currently available for estimating latent variable interactions, the unconstrained approach is attractive to applied researchers because of its relatively easy implementation with any structural equation modeling (SEM) software. Using a Monte Carlo simulation study, we extended and evaluated the unconstrained approach to…

Recently, R. D. Stoel, F. G. Garre, C. Dolan, and G. van den Wittenboer (2006) reviewed approaches for obtaining reference mixture distributions for difference tests when a parameter is on the boundary. The authors of the present study argue that this methodology is incomplete without a discussion of when the mixtures are needed and show that they…

This report provides national data on the availability and use of educational technology among teachers in public elementary and secondary schools during the winter and spring of 2009. The data are the results of a national teacher-level survey that is one of a set that includes district, school, and teacher surveys on educational technology.…

This report provides national data on the availability and use of educational technology in public elementary and secondary schools during fall 2008. The data are the results of a national school-level survey that is one of a set that includes district, school, and teacher surveys on educational technology. Every year between 1994 and 2005 (with…

A Statistical Analysis System (SAS) macro procedure for performing a jackknife analysis on structure coefficients in discriminant analysis is described together with issues and caveats about its use in multivariate methods. An example of use of the SAS macro is provided. (SLD)

A brief, practical overview of "design effects" (DEFFs) is presented for users of the results of sample surveys. The overview is intended to help such users to determine how and when to use DEFFs and to compute them correctly. DEFFs are needed only for inferential statistics, not for descriptive statistics. When the selections for…

The serious problems associated with the use of stepwise methods are well documented. Various authors have leveled scathing criticisms against the use of stepwise techniques, yet it is not uncommon to find these methods continually employed in educational and psychological research. The three main problems with stepwise techniques are: (1)…

A microcomputer program that computes statistical power for analyses performed by multiple regression/correlation is described. The program features a spreadsheet-like interface, outputting the effect size and value of power corresponding to the input parameters, including predictor variables, sample size, alpha, and error type. (TJH)

Though common structural equation modeling (SEM) methods are predicated upon the assumption of multivariate normality, applied researchers often find themselves with data clearly violating this assumption and without sufficient sample size to use distribution-free estimation methods. Fortunately, promising alternatives are being integrated into…

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the use of MC2G program to teach certain topics in statistics education. MC2G is a program written in Pascal Delphi by Gordon Brooks of Ohio University based on Monte Carlo studies. MC2G provides students opportunity to practice important topics in an introductory statistics course, such as power, Type I…

A component analytic method for analyzing multivariate longitudinal data is presented that does not make strong assumptions about the structure of the data. Central to the method are the facts that components are derived as linear composites of the observed or manifest variables and that the components must provide an adequate representation of…

Some specific computer-based tools for collecting and examining audit trails, i.e., data that describe a learner's path through a computer-based instruction (CBI) lesson, are detailed. Data analysis and measurement issues related to audit trails are also discussed. A particular set of embedded computer-based tools currently being used at San Diego…

Cox (1972) proposed a discrete-time survival model that is somewhat analogous to the proportional hazards model for continuous time. Efron (1988) showed that this model can be estimated using ordinary logistic regression software, and Singer and Willett (1993) provided a detailed illustration of a particularly flexible form of the model that…