Although computerized adaptive tests acquire their efficiency by successively selecting items that provide optimal measurement at each examinee's estimated level of ability, operational testing programs will typically consider additional factors in item selection. In practice, items are generally selected with regard to at least three, often…

In this paper it is shown that differential item functioning can be evaluated using the Lagrange multiplier test or C. R. Rao's efficient score test. The test is presented in the framework of a number of item response theory (IRT) models such as the Rasch model, the one-parameter logistic model, the two-parameter logistic model, the generalized…

This study developed a model to simulate nonmodel-fitting responses in a computerized adaptive testing (CAT) environment, and to examine the effectiveness of the model. The underlying idea was to simulate examinees' test behaviors realistically. This study simulated a situation in which examinees are exposed to or are coached on test items before…

This study reviews the literature regarding the theoretical rationale for creating a computer-based school system simulation for educational leaders' use in problem solving and decision making. Like all social systems, educational systems are so complex that individuals are hard-pressed to consider all interrelated parts as a totality. A…

An alcohol awareness campaign was designed and implemented as a collaborative effort between communication majors at Rutgers University participating in an organization simulation and a prevention specialist from the Center for Alcohol Studies. College seniors participating in a semester-long organizational simulation called Lindlee Enterprises…

A study used a paradigm in which adults believed they were teaching a simple video game to an unseen child. In fact, the adults saw computer-generated responses that were modeled on actual child behavior. Subjects were 160 mothers, who were randomly assigned to view simulations of either responsive or unresponsive behavior. The simulations of…

Item response theory (IRT) model parameter estimates have considerable merit and open up new directions for test development, but misleading results are often obtained because of errors in the item parameter estimates. The problem of the effects of item parameter estimation errors on the test development process is discussed, and the seriousness…

This paper examines the effect of using unidimensional item response theory (IRT) item parameter estimates of multidimensional items to create weakly parallel test forms using target information curves. To date, all computer-based algorithms that have been devised to create parallel test forms assume that the items are unidimensional. This paper…

This study investigated information needs and use by groups in decision-making processes. Problem contexts were varied by conflict, quality, and time conditions and presented to 89 graduate level education students who simulated school board members making decisions about educational programs. The research hypotheses were: (1) there are no…

The study investigated whether school administrators (n=128) implicitly perceive the "types" of evaluators proposed by Meltsner (1976) when they consider evaluative information. One simulated evaluation report was written to represent each evaluator, differentiated from one another by their norms, expectations, motivations, and training.…

A 2-to-the-kth-power mirror-image design is defined as one in which repeated observations of subjects occurs among the levels of a usual 2-to-the-kth-power design, but there is the restriction that no subject may receive a given level of any factor more than once. Such a restriction might arise, for example, if a subject's response is expected to…

This paper presents a method for estimating certain characteristics of test items which are designed to measure ability, or knowledge, in a particular area. Under the assumption that ability parameters are sampled from a normal distribution, the EM algorithm is used to derive maximum likelihood estimates to item parameters of the two-parameter…

A simulation game designed to increase knowledge of basic place location is described. Preparation, materials, and variations of the game are included in the description. (DE)

Suggests themes and methods for teaching ecology in first-year university biology courses. (LS)

Statistics used to estimate the population correlation ratio were reviewed and evaluated. The sampling distributions of Kelly's and Hays' statistics were studied empirically by computer simulation within the context of a three level one-way fixed effects analysis of variance design. (Author/RC)