We provide a critical review of existing teacher responsibility measures, develop the rationale for, and introduce a new Teacher Responsibility Scale (TRS). Evidence from a sample of German pre-service teachers (Study 1) and American in-service teachers (Study 2) supported a multi-dimensional model of teacher responsibility with four subscales…

This study explored motivation and engagement among North American (the United States and Canada; n = 1,540), U.K. (n = 1,558), Australian (n = 2,283), and Chinese (n = 3,753) secondary school students. Motivation and engagement were assessed via students' responses to the Motivation and Engagement Scale-High School (MES-HS). Confirmatory factor…

Although cheating on tests and other forms of academic dishonesty are considered rampant, no standard definition of academic dishonesty exists. The current study was conducted to investigate the perceptions of academic dishonesty in high school students, utilizing an innovative methodology, multidimensional scaling (MDS). Two methods were used to…

A controversial concept suggests that impaired finger dexterity in Parkinson's disease may be related to limb kinetic apraxia that is not explained by elemental motor deficits such as bradykinesia. To explore the nature of dexterous difficulties, the aim of the present study was to assess the relationship of finger dexterity with ideomotor praxis…

This study investigates teachers' pedagogical content knowledge, professional beliefs, work-related motivation, and self-regulation as aspects of their professional competence. Specifically, it examines how these aspects impact instruction and, in turn, student outcomes. In a nationally representative sample of 194 German secondary school…

The process of constructing assessment scales for performance testing is complex and multi-dimensional. As a result, a number of different approaches, both empirically and intuitively based, are open to developers. In this paper we outline the approach taken in the revision of a set of assessment scales used with speaking tests, and present the…

Let X be a statistical variable representing student ratings of University teaching. It is natural to assume for X an ordinal scale consisting of k categories (in ascending order of satisfaction). At first glance, student ratings can be summarized by a location index (such as the mode or the median of X) associated with a convenient measure of…

A cyclical conditional maximum likelihood estimation procedure is developed for the multidimensional unfolding of two- or three-way dominance data (e.g., preference, choice, consideration) measured on ordered successive category rating scales. The technical description of the proposed model and estimation procedure are discussed, as well as the…

Academic dishonesty rates have remained alarmingly high. Various causes and correlates of academic dishonesty have been explored, including such factors as situational and environmental contributors as well as individual differences. Due to the high level of ambiguity inherent in the definition of academic dishonesty, it becomes important to…

When researchers use the Guttman scalogram rather than multidimensional techniques, scalogram error assignment techniques should be questioned. An alternative to the customary minimizing error rule is suggested through ALAM and ALAS criteria which use ordinal information in scalable item marginals. (Author)

For the ALSCAL multidimensional scaling computer program, it is reported that (1) a new coordinate estimation routine is superior to the original; (2) an oversight in the interval measurement level case has been found and corrected; and (3) a new initial configuration routine is also superior to the original. (Author/JKS)

Comments on the preceding article include "Slicing the Vocational Interest Pie One More Time" (Borgen, Donnay); "Lost in Space" (Harmon); "Alternative Dimensions of the Tracey-Rounds Interest Sphere" (Prediger); "Prestige in Vocational Interests" (Gottfredson); "What Goes around, Comes around"…

Order analysis is discussed as a method for description of formal structures in multidimensional space. Its algorithm was derived using a combination of psychometric theory, formal logic theory, information theory, and graph theory concepts. The model provides for adjustment of its sensitivity to random variation. (Author/JKS)

Data generated by the pair-comparison method can be analyzed by least squares. A system of normal equations is derived by which the original objects are scaled. One advantage of this method is that it is not necessary to compare all object pairs. Examples are provided. (Author/JKS)

The concept of sequential estimation is introduced in multidimensional scaling. The sequential estimation method developed in this paper refers to continually updating estimates of a configuration as new observations are added. Using artificial data, the performance of this sequential method is illustrated. (Author/JKS)