The use of some very simple loss or utility functions in educational evaluation has recently been advocated by Gross and Su, Petersen and Novick, and Petersen. This paper demonstrates that more realistic utility functions can easily be used and may be preferable in some applications. (Author/CTM)

Modern statistics are considered as a branch of psychometrics and the question of how the central problems of statistics can be resolved using psychometric methods is investigated. Methods developed in the fields of test theory, scaling, and factor analysis are related to principle problems of modern statistical theory and method. (Author/JKS)

(See also TM 501 087, TM 501 088, and TM 501 089.)

An interactive computer-based system for assisting investigators in the use of Bayesian analysis using the two parameter normal model is described. An important feature of this program is that it interacts with the investigator in the English language; he need not be familiar with computer languages or with the internal workings of the computer.…

This proposal attempts to follow in Allan Birnbaum's tradition by using Bayesian ideas to show that his mental test model possesses even broader applicability than previously realized. Birnbaum's two significant contributions to the theories of statistics and educational testing are: (1) the proof that the sufficiency and conditionality principles…

A summary of the technical problems encountered in performing Bayesian m group regression is given. Grade-point averages for students entering a vocational-technical program are predicted using ability assessments from the Career Planning Profile (CPP), a development of The American College Testing Program (ACT). The theory derived by Lindley (see…

(See also TM 501 087, TM 501 089 and TM 501 090.)

This paper develops theory and methods for the application of the Bayesian Model II method to the estimation of binomial proportions and demonstrates its application to educational data. (Author/RK)

A general approach is proposed for modeling the structure of a r x s contingency table and for drawing marginal inferences about all parameters (e.g., interaction effects) in the model. The main approach is relevant whenever rs minus r minus s plus 1 is greater than or equal to 5. Military aptitude test data is used as illustration. (Author/LMO)

In this paper, an attempt has been made to synthesize some of the current thinking in the area of criterion-referenced testing as well as to provide the beginning of an integration of theory and method for such testing. (Editor)

The feasibility and effectiveness of a Bayesian method for estimating regressions in m groups is studied by application of the method to data from the Basic Research Service of The American College Testing Program. Evidence supports the belief that in many testing applications the collateral information obtained from each subset of m-1 colleges…

Bayesian Johnson-Neyman methodology was used to investigate differential prediction by race in U.S. Air Force training programs. Meaningful differences were found in eight of nine comparisons. The setting of the cutting scores had an effect on whether the bias was positive or negative for Blacks. (Author/GDC)

A general approach is proposed for modeling the structure of a two-way contingency table, and for drawing inferences about the marginal and interaction effects, cell parameters, and conditional probabilities. The prior distribution expresses uncertainty in a simple reduced model, in particular the independence model. The posterior estimates of the…

The Computer-Assisted Data Analysis (CADA) Monitor is a set of conversational-language interactive computer programs that permit relatively inexperienced persons to perform relatively complex statistical data analysis. The Monitor leads the user through an analysis on a step-by-step basis providing the necessary direction, information, and…