The results of this study suggest that for purposes of estimating ability by latent trait methods, the Rasch model compares favorably with the three-parameter logistic model. Using estimated parameters to make predictions about 25 actual number-correct score distributions with samples of 1,000 cases each, those predicted by the Rasch model fit the…

To provide diagnostic feedback for college faculty, a faculty evaluation rating scale was developed and used by college students. The instrument consisted of 2 global items--rate the instructor, rate the course; 5 questions on general teaching characteristic--presentation, enthusiasm, discussion, organization, and personal attention; and 42 low…

The need for objective evaluation of the social and emotional adjustment of elementary school children has become increasingly acute, yet few tools are available which can provide data on the epidemiology of psychopathology in the school-age child. The present study undertook to cross-validate a behavior checklist for boys, the Pittsburgh…

Four prominent oblique transformation techniques--biquartimin, direct oblimin, promax, and the Harris-Kaiser procedure--are described and compared as to optimality of solution. Additionally, two newly-developed procedures--falling into the category designated as Case III by Harris and Kaiser (1964)--are presented and included in the comparisons.…

Analyses of interscale relations in 235 college students for the Vocational Preference Inventory and Vocational Interest Inventory, based on interest models of Holland and Roe respectively, suggest that the two-dimensional, circular configuration of occupations of personality types may be an oversimplification which impedes the understanding of…

Rotation of canonical components is contrasted with factor rotation and the concept of communalities in canonical analysis is considered. Three possible strategies for rotating canonical components are described: single rotation of all components, separate rotation of each set, and sequential rotation of one set then the other. Constraints,…

Reported are the findings of a research project designed to identify subscales in the "Science Process Inventory" (SPI) developed by Welch in the 1960's to assess student knowledge about the nature and processes of science. Form D of the instrument was used with a random subsample of 435 students who were included in the Harvard Project…

In this paper a rather general theory of oblique factor rotation is outlined. The main results are formulated as four theorems. Necessary and sufficient conditions are derived for two factor matrices to admit identical factor structures and/or factor patterns with factors having unit variances. These conditions are expressed in terms of…

Attention has been drawn to the lack of standards for evaluating the degree of goodness of fit of patterns resulting from a principal components analysis of two data sets. An empirical sampling distribution of the statistic average trace (E'E) as E is obtained in the orthogonal procrustes problem, for various orders of A matrices was developed…

This research tested the proposition that self-concept is unidimensional. Joreskog's Unrestricted Maximum Likelihood Factor Analysis applied to 402 fifth-graders' responses to the Sears Self-Concept Inventory, indicated a twelve factor pattern adequately accounted for variance. Restricted Maximum Likelihood Factor Analysis was than applied to…

This research was undertaken to determine the factor structure of the 26-item revised versions of the Mehrabian (1968) Female and Male scales, a self-report instrument designed to measure achievement motivation. (Author/RK)

The Brand Emotions Scale for Writers (BESW) is a 20-item scale designed to measure writers' emotions immediately before, during, and immediately after writing. This article describes the development of the BESW and the factor structure of the three different scale forms. (BS)

Investigated factor structures of Minnesota Importance Questionnaire and Minnesota Job Description Questionnaire for 189 public school teachers. For both instruments, a three-factor solution was extracted. Although there were similarities in the factors, completely parallel factor structures were not obtained. (Author/NB)