In this paper, we provide an introduction to the factored regression framework. This modeling framework applies the rules of probability to break up or "factor" a complex joint distribution into a product of conditional regression models. Using this framework, we can easily specify the complex multivariate models that missing data…

Recent work on measuring growth with categorical outcome variables has combined the item response theory (IRT) measurement model with the latent growth curve model and extended the assessment of growth to multidimensional IRT models and higher order IRT models. However, there is a lack of synthetic studies that clearly evaluate the strength and…

Recent work on measuring growth with categorical outcome variables has combined the item response theory (IRT) measurement model with the latent growth curve (LGC) model (e.g., McArdle, 1988) and extended the assessment of growth to multidimensional IRT models (e.g., Hsieh, von Eye, & Maier, 2010; Huang, 2013) and higher-order IRT models…

Cluster analysis is a set of statistical methods for discovering new group/class structure when exploring data sets. This article reviews the following popular libraries/commands in the R software language for applying different types of cluster analysis: from the stats library, the kmeans, and hclust functions; the mclust library; the poLCA…

Terrorism is a complex and evolving phenomenon. In the past few decades, we have witnessed an increase in the number of terrorist incidents in the world. The security and stability of many countries is threatened by terrorist groups. Perpetrators now use sophisticated weapons and the attacks are more and more lethal. Currently, terrorist incidents…

Heterogeneity in response styles can affect the conclusions drawn from rating scale data. In particular, biased estimates can be expected if one ignores a tendency to middle categories or to extreme categories. An adjacent categories model is proposed that simultaneously models the content-related effects and the heterogeneity in response styles.…

The Reduced Reparameterized Unified Model (Reduced RUM) is a diagnostic classification model for educational assessment that has received considerable attention among psychometricians. However, the computational options for researchers and practitioners who wish to use the Reduced RUM in their work, but do not feel comfortable writing their own…

An overview of popular software packages for conducting dimensionality assessment in multidimensional models is presented. Specifically, five popular software packages are described in terms of their capabilities to conduct dimensionality assessment with respect to the nature of analysis (exploratory or confirmatory), types of data (dichotomous,…

The authors discuss empirically determined competence areas to K-12 computer science education, emphasizing the cognitive level of competence. The results of a questionnaire with 120 professors of computer science serve as a database. By using multi-dimensional scaling and cluster analysis, four competence areas to computer science education…

We investigated the effect of modeling and visualization resources on upper-division, undergraduate and graduate students' performance on an open-ended assessment of their understanding of physical hydrology. The students were enrolled in one of five sections of a physical hydrology course. In two of the sections, students completed homework…

Missing data are a pervasive problem in many psychological applications in the real world. In this article we study the impact of dropout on the operational characteristics of several approaches that can be easily implemented with commercially available software. These approaches include the covariance pattern model based on an unstructured…

In this paper we describe the development and refinement of "evidence rules" and "measurement models" within the "evidence model" of the "evidence-centered design" (ECD) framework in the context of the "Packet Tracer" digital learning environment of the "Cisco Networking Academy." Using…

The study of confusion data is a well established practice in psychology. Although many types of analytical approaches for confusion data are available, among the most common methods are the extraction of 1 or more subsets of stimuli, the partitioning of the complete stimulus set into distinct groups, and the ordering of the stimulus set. Although…

The purpose of this study was to examine how variables related to computer availability, computer comfort and educational software are associated with higher or lower levels of science literacy in the USA, Finland and Mexico, after controlling for the socio-economic status of the students. The analyses for this study were based on a series of…

The Resource Cost Model (RCM) is a resource management system that combines the technical advantages of sophisticated computer simulation software with the practical benefits of group decision making to provide detailed information about educational program costs. The first section of this document introduces the conceptual framework underlying…