Knowledge of dental anatomy is of great importance in the practice of dentistry, especially in oral rehabilitation, because without this knowledge, professional practice is not possible. Dental carving plays a major role in training dental students as it develops their manual dexterity. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the…

A little-known theorem, a generalization of Pythagoras's theorem, due to Pappus, is used to present a geometric explanation of various definitions of the contribution of component tests to their composite. I show that an unambiguous definition of the unique contribution of a component to the composite score variance is present if and only if the…

This study investigates technical efficiency and productivity for Swedish higher education institutions (HEIs). One identified problem in previous research concerns adjusting efficiency scores for input quality. This problem is avoided using grades from upper-secondary schools. A second problem concerns heterogeneity with respect to subjects and…

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a summer bridge program geared toward first-year students at a large public university located in the Southeastern United States. The research question guiding this study was, "Does participation in a summer bridge program increase academic success for first-year college students?"…

In a common-item (anchor) equating design, the common items should be evaluated for item parameter drift. Drifted items are often removed. For a test that contains mostly dichotomous items and only a small number of polytomous items, removing some drifted polytomous anchor items may result in anchor sets that no longer resemble mini-versions of…

Schools and neighborhoods are thought to be two of the most important contextual influences on student academic outcomes. Drawing on a unique data set that permits simultaneous estimation of neighborhood and school contributions to student test score gains, we analyze the distributions of these contributions to consider the relative importance of…

This study explores the use of a mapping technique to test the invariance of proficiency standards over time for state performance tests. First, the state proficiency standards are mapped onto the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scale. Then, rather than looking at whether there is a deviation in proficiency standards directly,…

Four methods for combining several scores of tests given the same individual are discussed: (1) weighted standardized scores; (2) percentile rank methods; (3) the principal components approach; and (4) the optimal weights method. The optimal weights method is recommended because of its simplicity. (SLD)

A method is presented for investigating two aspects of the sensitivity of a linear composite to the values of its weights. A composite very similar to the original can be produced by weights very different from the original weights. (SLD)

A procedure for estimating the degree to which a subtest uniquely contributes to total test performance is presented and discussed. Uniqueness analysis may be appropriately applied to any composite measurement instrument such as a multipart test or a multitest battery to assess the unique contribution of each component to the total test. The…

Several advantages to the use of factor scores as independent variables in a multiple regression equation were found. To help select the most desirable type of factor score on which to calculate a regression equation, computer-based Monte Carlo methods were used to compare the predictive accuracy upon replication of regression of five…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether option weighting improved the internal consistency and intercorrelation of the subtests. The differential option-weighting scheme employed in this study is based on one devised by Guttman. The tests were first scored with Guttman-type weights and then with conventional correction-for-guessing…

Technical improvements, which may be made in the reliability and validity of tests through confidence scores, are discussed. However, studies indicate that subjects do not handle their confidence uniformly. (MS)