A method of introducing a controlled degree of skew and kurtosis for Monte Carlo studies was derived. The form of such a transformation on normal deviates is given. Analytic and empirical validation of the method is demonstrated. (Author/JKS)

There are good reasons for the growing popularity of Monte Carlo procedures; but with increasing use comes increasing misuse. A variety of exact and approximate alternatives should be considered before one chooses to approach a problem with Monte Carlo methods. Once it has been decided that simulation is desirable, consideration should be given to…

Through Monte Carlo procedures, three different techniques for estimating the parameter theta (proportion of the "shocks" remaining in the system) in the Integrated Moving Average (0,1,1) time-series model are compared in terms of (1) the accuracy of the estimates, (2) the independence of the estimates from the true value of theta, and…

In some correlational studies it is not reasonable to assume that bivariate observations are uncorrelated. An example would be a configural analysis in which two individuals are correlated across several variables (e.g., Q-technique). The present study was a Monte Carlo investigation of the robustness of techniques used in judging the magnitude of…

Relative to test and criterion parameters and cutting scores, the correlation coefficient, sample size, and number of samples to be drawn (all inputs), this program calculates decision classification rates across samples and for combined samples. Several other related indices are also computed. (Author)

Compares three methods of analyzing pairwise treatment differences in a multi-treatment experiment via computer simulation techniques. Under the equal n condition, the robustness of the conventional Tukey Wholly Significant Difference test (WSD) to heterogeneous variances was contrasted with two alternate techniques. Under unequal n conditions,…

A description is given in which a computer program can be used to illustrate principles of statistical mechanics. The concepts of ensembles, statistical averages, and responses are classified particularly with respect to the role of statistical fluctuations. (DF)

This study compared three approaches to the two-factor experiment with repeated measures on one factor: (1) the conventional mixed model analysis of variance, (2) the Greenhouse-Geisser conservative analysis of variance, and (3) multivariate extensions of analysis of variance. Computer simulated data were used in a total of 96 sets of covariance…

Discusses the different strategies employed by three practical nonmetric multidimensional scaling algorithms using Monte Carlo techniques. (Author/RK)

The Monte Carlo method was used, and the factors considered were (1) level of main effects in the population; (2) level of interaction effects in the population; (3) alpha level used in determining whether to pool; and (4) number of degrees of freedom. The results indicated that when the ratio degrees of freedom (axb)/degrees of freedom (within)…

False-positive and false-negative dicisions are the fundamental errors committed with a mastery test; yet the estimation of the likelihood of committing these errors has not been investigated. Accordingly, two methods of estimating the likelihood of committing these errors are described and then investigated using Monte Carlo techniques.…

A large number of correlational models for cross-tabular analysis are available for utilization by social scientists for data description. Criteria for selection (such as levels of measurement and proportional reduction in error) do not lead to conclusive model choice. Moreover, such criteria may be irrelevant. More pertinent criteria are…

This paper comments on the impact of computers on statistical analysis and presents a concise, nontechnical overview of five statistical methods now being applied in educational research. Appropriate uses of these techniques are pointed out, along with dangers concerning misapplications. (PP)