Semantic incompatibility, an error in constructing measuring instruments for rating oneself, others, or objects, refers to the extent to which item wordings are incongruent with, and hence inappropriate for, scale labels and vice versa. This study examines the effects of semantic incompatibility on rating responses. Using a 2 x 2 factorial design…

Two studies compared multiple rank order and paired comparison methods in terms of psychometric characteristics and user reactions. Individual and group item responses, preference counts, and Thurstone normal transform scale values obtained by the multiple rank order method were found to be similar to those obtained by paired comparisons.…

Four indexes of agreement between ratings of a person that correct for chance and are interpretable as intraclass correlation coefficients for different analysis of variance models are investigated. Relationships among the estimators are established for finite samples, and the equivalence of these estimators in large samples is demonstrated. (SLD)

A least-squares solution for the method of paired comparisons is given. The approach provokes a theorem regarding the amount of data necessary and sufficient for a solution to be obtained. A measure of the internal consistency of the least-squares fit is developed. (Author/CTM)

A generalized Rasch model is presented for measuring attitudes; it is based on the concepts of Thurstone's method of successive intervals. Benefits of the model are illustrated with a study of students' (N=4,035 fifth through ninth graders) interest in physics. (SLD)