Social scientists are frequently interested in assessing the qualities of social settings such as classrooms, schools, neighborhoods, or day care centers. The most common procedure requires observers to rate social interactions within these settings on multiple items and then to combine the item responses to obtain a summary measure of setting…

An algorithm is described for fitting the DEDICOM model (proposed by R. A. Harshman in 1978) for the analysis of asymmetric data matrices. The method modifies a procedure proposed by Y. Takane (1985) to provide guaranteed monotonic convergence. The algorithm is based on a technique known as majorization. (SLD)

A family of coefficients of relational agreement for numerical scales is proposed, generalizing to multiple judges the theory of F. E. Zegers and J. M. F. ten Berge (1985) of association coefficients for two variables, using the premise that choice of coefficient depends on scale type of the variables. (SLD)

A new method is presented for determining the minimum number of observations per subject needed to achieve a specific generalizability coefficient. The method, consisting of a branch-and-bound algorithm, enables an investigator to specify an acceptable threshold for generalizability coefficients. (SLD)

A 2-facet measurement model is identified, and its coefficient of generalizability (CG) is examined. Three other multifaceted measurement models and their CGs are identified. An empirical investigation of all four procedures is conducted using data from a study of the psychopathology of 71 prison inmates. (SLD)

The problem of predicting universe scores for samples of examinees based on their responses to samples of items is treated. The measurement model categorizes items according to the cells of a table of test specifications, and the linear function derived for minimizing error variance in prediction uses responses to these categories. (Author/JKS)

A natural parameterization and formalization of the problem of measuring change in dichotomous data is developed. Mathematically-exact definitions of specific objectivity are presented, and the basic structures of the linear logistic test model and the linear logistic model with relaxed assumptions are clarified. (SLD)

Presents solutions for the problem of maximizing the generalizability coefficient under a budget constraint. Shows that the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality can be applied to derive optimal continuous solutions for the number of conditions of each facet. Illustrates the formal similarity between optimization problems in survey sampling and…

It is proposed that proportional reduction in loss (PRL) be used as a theoretical basis to derive, justify, and interpret reliability measures to gauge reliability on a zero-to-one scale. This PRL approach simplifies the interpretation of existing measures (e.g., generalizability-theory measures). (SLD)

There is a unity underlying the diversity of models for the analysis of multivariate data. Essentially, they constitute a family of models, most generally nonlinear, for structural/functional relations between variables drawn from a behavior domain. (Author)