The robustness of qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) results features high on the agenda of methodologists and practitioners. This article aims at advancing this debate on several fronts. First, in line with the extant literature, we take a comprehensive view on robustness arguing that decisions on calibration, consistency, and frequency…

Person-fit assessment (PFA) is concerned with uncovering atypical test performance as reflected in the pattern of scores on individual items on a test. Existing person-fit statistics (PFSs) include both parametric and nonparametric statistics. Comparison of PFSs has been a popular research topic in PFA, but almost all comparisons have employed…

Developments in school education in Australia over the past decade have witnessed the rise of national efforts to reform curriculum, assessment and reporting. Constitutionally the power to decide on curriculum matters still resides with the States. Higher stakes in assessment, brought about by national testing and international comparative…

The purpose of this article is to describe and demonstrate a three-step process of using differential distractor functioning (DDF) in a post hoc analysis to understand sources of differential item functioning (DIF) in multiple-choice testing. The process is demonstrated on two multiple-choice tests that used complex alternatives (e.g., "No…

J. Brooks-Gunn, W. J. Han, and J. Waldfogel (2002) and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Early Child Care Research Network (ECCRN; 2000b) came to different conclusions about the effects of maternal employment--although they were addressing similar questions using the same data set. Brooks-Gunn et al. concluded that…

This study examined the relationship between the internal-external control and text anxiety constructs, and academic achievement. The hypothesis that internals would be more successful academically than externals was not supported. (Author)

A major problem encountered by both teachers and authors of instructional materials is the sequencing of instructional activities. A review of the literature is given and it is pointed out that there is substantial evidence to support the general theory of the hierarchical structure of knowledge. A learning hierarchy for the computational skills…

A detailed description of five latent structure models of achievement measurement is presented. The first project paper, by David L. McArthur, analyzes the history of mental testing to show how conventional item analysis procedures were developed, and how dissatisfaction with them has led to fragmentation. The range of distinct conceptual and…

The purpose of this study was to collect data from which the cognitive processes of the prekindergarten child could be analyzed. The study population consisted of 53 subjects, 3-1/2-4-1/2 years old. Kindergarten Evaluation of Learning Potential (KELP) was used to obtain data. The learning theory on which KELP is based postulates associative,…

A study directed toward the education of preschool children is presented. This study, the Appalachia Preschool Education Program, was designed to affect the performance of children aged 3, 4, and 5 in four skill areas: orienting and attending, motor activity, language, and cognition. One of the instruments used in the evaluation of the program was…

Comprehensive Achievement Monitoring (CAM) is a systematic procedure of constructing and administering longitudinal, criterion-referenced tests. CAM has advantages over typical classroom testing of having well-organized tests, providing course evaluation through pretesting, posttesting, and retention measurement; producing data for continuous…

A study to compare the effects of reading achievement of informal and formal British infant schools is discussed. The informal school, for children from 5-8 years old, utilizes one or more of the following: integrated day, family or vertical grouping, open planning, and team teaching. The formal schools follow a prescribed curriculum and group…

A research report summarizes second language study, language training practices, and trainee attitudes toward language learning in the Peace Corps. The two equal parts of the study consist of findings and appendixes. Conclusions are grouped under (1) training practices and trainee attitudes, (2) associations and relationships, and (3) qualitative…

This study evaluates the results of innovation in teaching methodology in an American government college course. The assumption of the study was that organizing a course into modules which required students to be tested for proficiency after each module was presented would maximize student factual knowledge gain and would result in improved…

A project to upgrade knowledge and skills of junior high school students in American history was conducted in four cities and counties in Virginia during 1977-78. The hypothesis was that students who received feedback from teachers regarding performance on an American history pre-test would perform better on a subsequent American history test.…