Sixty subjects, 30 volunteers and 30 nonvolunteers, participated in an experiment examining pretest sensitization effects. Two interpretations of these effects--the commitment hypothesis and the demand interpretation--are explored. (Author)

Methods and indices based on item response theory (IRT) for detecting and diagnosing aberrant response patterns are reviewed. These indices are divided into three groups: (1) residuals-based; (2) likelihood-based; and (3) ratio of covariances-based (extended cautions). For each index, the determination of its sampling distribution as well as its…

Three measures of person-fit (the extent to which an examinee's response pattern on a multiple-choice test is consistent with his ability as estimated by total score) were computed for students taking classroom tests under 12 different instructors at a comprehensive university. Supplementary questions on each test inquired concerning students'…

This simple method for simulating the Central Limit Theorem with students in a beginning nonmajor statistics class requires students to use dice to simulate drawing samples from a discrete uniform distribution. On a chalkboard, the distribution of sample means is superimposed on a graph of the discrete uniform distribution to provide visual…

The problem of determing how many significant discriminant functions are present in a given data set for a one-way, fixed-effects multivariate analysis of variance design is studied using a Monte Carlo procedure. A variety of procedures, including the popular partitioned-U procedure, are compared with respect to their Type I error rates and power…

A correction of the standard F-ratio for unreliability of the dependent measure has recently been proposed by Winne; the rationale is analogous to that of correcting a correlation for attenuation. However, there are two problems associated with Winne's correction of which potential users should be aware. First, the corrected statistic, F*, has…

In a Colby Junior College study of (1) non-intellective characteristics of freshmen and their proficiency in liberal arts, (2) the same factors after two years, and (3) relationships between the variables and educational outcome College Student Questionnaires were used to measure some of the characteristics. Part I was given in Fall 1966; Part II,…

Part and bi-partial canonical correlations were developed by extending the definitions of part and bi-partial correlation to sets of variates. These coefficients may be used to help researchers explore relationships which exist among several sets of normally distributed variates. (Author)

To study the relationship of education to economic growth for the state of Iowa, the hypothesis that increasing the level of education for the labor force would lead to higher levels of income or economic growth was tested for the period from 1950-1967. The Cobb-Douglas production was used to evaluate the relationship. The function used labor…

An equation was derived to determine the relationship between the pooled within-subgroup r (correlation coefficient) and the r obtained from the total group data. It was, thus, possible to assess the amount of distortion introduced by pooling heterogeneous subgroups. As a basis for deciding whether to pool two subgroups in order to calculate a…

The present study attempted to modify the latencies and errors of adult women on the Matching Familiar Figures test (MFF) by systematically altering task instructions. The results indicated that latencies of impulsive subjects could be altered with "reflective" instructions, while the latencies of reflective subjects were resistent to…

A set of mathematical consistencies that forms conditions of inequality in a theorem is summarized, and a strategy for its application with real data is presented. The theorem and strategy are suggested for immediate use by the practitioner seeking cause-effect relationships in a system of variables to cut down guess work and time in analysis and…

A computer-based learning simulation was developed at Florida State University which allows for high interactive responding via a time-sharing terminal for the purpose of demonstrating descriptive and inferential statistics. The statistical simulation (STATSIM) is comprised of four modules--chi square, t, z, and F distribution--and elucidates the…

An investigation is conducted which presents extensive Monte Carlo results which indicate the conditions under which a procedure using the F distribution can be used to study the robustness of the confidence interval procedures for small samples. A review of the literature is presented. Procedure uses a binary data matrix. Results indicate that…