There is increasing concern among researchers about collecting data on sex and gender variables, yet many researchers are unsure of how to deal meaningfully with these variables. Drawing on literature that tests the psychometric properties of sex and gender demographic questions, we present considerations for collecting sex and gender demographic…

In education research, small samples are common because of financial limitations, logistical challenges, or exploratory studies. With small samples, statistical principles on which researchers rely do not hold, leading to trust issues with model estimates and possible replication issues when scaling up. Researchers are generally aware of such…

The current main world university rankings broadly group the leading research universities of nations. Australia's Go8 universities are generally within the top 250 ranked universities, with several institutions in the top 50-100 on some measures. This recognition is commendable, however imperfect the individual rankings may be. Use is made of…

Taxometric procedures provide an empirical means of determining which psychiatric disorders are typologically distinct from normal behavioral functioning. Although most disorders reflect extremes along continuously distributed behavioral traits, identifying those that are discrete has important implications for accurate diagnosis, effective…

When performing a classification study, it is often useful to leave a residue of unclassified entities to be analyzed separately. Using an interactional paradigm, theoretical reasoning for this approach is outlined. A procedure--RESIDAN--for conducting a classification analysis using a residue is described, and empirical data are provided. (TJH)

Explores the ways in which error in measurement related to educational standards and the classification of people in educational settings is obscured in most of the practical events involving the assessment of individuals. Establishes the centrality of the measurement of educational standards to the "production" and control of the individual in…

Classification studies are important for practitioners who need to identify individuals for specialized treatment or intervention. When interventions are irreversible or misclassifications are costly, information about the proficiency of different classification procedures becomes invaluable. This study furnishes information about the relative…