Supervised machine learning has become one of the most important methods for developing educational and intelligent tutoring software; it is the backbone of many educational data mining methods for estimating knowledge, emotion, and other aspects of learning. Hence, in order to ensure optimal utilization of computing resources and effective…

Interest in developing computerized adaptive testing (CAT) under cognitive diagnosis models (CDMs) has increased recently. CAT algorithms that use a fixed-length termination rule frequently lead to different degrees of measurement precision for different examinees. Fixed precision, in which the examinees receive the same degree of measurement…

A central problem in the application of exploratory factor analysis is deciding how many factors to retain ("m"). Although this is inherently a model selection problem, a model selection perspective is rarely adopted for this task. We suggest that Cudeck and Henly's (1991) framework can be applied to guide the selection process.…

When tests consist of multiple-choice and constructed-response items, researchers are confronted with the question of which item response theory (IRT) model combination will appropriately represent the data collected from these mixed-format tests. This simulation study examined the performance of six model selection criteria, including the…

As part of a larger project, "Task Types in Mathematics Learning," through the use of a questionnaire, we sought middle years mathematics teachers' insights into the task types they chose to use in mathematics, the reasons for these choices, and the ways (if any) in which their choices had changed as a result of their involvement in the…

Popular methods for fitting unidimensional item response theory (IRT) models to data assume that the latent variable is normally distributed in the population of respondents, but this can be unreasonable for some variables. Ramsay-curve IRT (RC-IRT) was developed to detect and correct for this nonnormality. The primary aims of this article are to…

This article examines some of the values that might be considered in a selection situation within the context of a decision theoretic model also described here. Several alternate expressions of fair selection are suggested in the form of utility statements in which these values can be understood and compared. (Author/DEP)

The adequacy of "rule of thumb" conventional cutoff criteria and several alternatives for fit indices in covariance structure analysis was evaluated through simulation. Analyses suggest that, for all recommended fit indexes except one, a cutoff criterion greater than (or sometimes smaller than) the conventional rule of thumb is required…

Traditional indices such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), grade point average (GPA), and various personality measures have been of limited value when used as selection criteria for counselor education programs. While these indices should not be eliminated, counselor educators need to establish more relevant selection criteria for their…

The all-possible subset approach is recommended as an alternative over stepwise methods for selecting the best set of predictor variables for multiple regression. Several criteria are available for selecting the best subset model. These are compared with the principal component regression (PCR) method to investigate their usefulness for subset…

Compares and evaluates models for bias in selection. Strategies are compared and evaluated as to their advantages and disadvantages in the areas of business and education. Some suggested formats for establishing culture fair selection are felt, by the authors, to be inadequate for their task and require a more complex analysis. (Author/DEP)

Discusses some models, including the Petersen Novick Model (TM 502 259) regarding fair selection procedures. (DEP)

A unified theory of visual recognition and attentional selection is developed by integrating the biased-choice model for single-stimulus recognition with a choice model for selection from multielement displays in a race model framework. The theory is applied to findings from previous studies and quantitative fits are encouraging. (SLD)

Dying persons are encouraged to name as durable power of attorney for health care (DPAHC) someone who will thus be empowered to make end-of-life treatment decisions for them in the event that they become incapacitated. We use data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study to investigate whether and whom older adults designate as their DPAHC. DPAHC…

Describes and defines dimensions of program evaluation--target, purpose, and stage--relevant to school psychologists, combining them into a conceptual framework indicating 48 different types of program evaluation. Incorporates relevant aspects of existing program evaluation strategies and action research, affording practitioners a strategy for…