The problem of objectively comparing two independently determined partitions of N objects or variables is discussed. A similarity measure based on the simple matching coefficient is defined and related to previously suggested measures. (Author/JKS)

A procedure for approximating attained significance levels of exact conditional tests is proposed. The procedure utilizes a sampling from the null distribution of tables having the same marginal frequencies as the observed tables. (Author/JKS)

Discusses the use of the nonparametric item response theory (IRT) Mokken models of monotone homogeneity and double monotonicity and the parametric Rasch and Verhelst models for the analysis of binary test data. Concludes that the simultaneous use of several IRT models for practical data analysis provides more insight into the structure of tests…

Discusses action research using nonparametric statistics which are distribution free. Describes the nonparametric statistical technique called the Mann-Whitney U which is analogous to the t-test. Presents hypothetical research problem and illustrates procedures used to analyze data. Includes a computer program for calculating the Mann-Whitney U.…

The nonparametric hypothesis-testing model of M. L. Puri and P. K. Sen (1969, 1985) circumvents concerns regarding the inapplicability of nonparametric statistics outside simple cases and the lack of pertinent computer programs. The breadth and flexibility of the model are illustrated with several examples. (TJH)

The equivalence between non-parametric marginal logistic models (NMLMs) and a class of discrete marginal logistic models is examined. Parametric models offer some of the advantages of the NMLMs approach, but there are more restrictions on the manifest probabilities. (SLD)

Methods for detecting item score patterns that are unlikely, given that a parametric item response theory model gives an adequate description of the data or given the responses of other persons in the group, are discussed. The use of person-fit statistics in empirical data analysis is briefly discussed. (SLD)

Through simulation, the power of the U3 statistic was compared with the power of one of the simplest person-fit statistics, the sum of the number of Guttman errors. In most cases, a weighted version of the latter statistic performed as well as the U3 statistic. (SLD)

Introduces and discusses the rationale and procedures of two nonparametric approaches to estimating the operating characteristic of a discrete item response, or the conditional probability, given the latent trait, that the examinee's response be that specific response. (SLD)

Describes the MINISIZE 2 computer program, which permits the user to determine the effect size and the minimum sample size needed so that results of a given analysis will be statistically significant. Explains the program's operation and provides examples. (SLD)

Reviews developments in nonparametric item-response theory (NIRT), from its historic origins in item-response theory (IRT) and scale analysis to new theoretical results for practical test construction. Discusses theoretical results from NIRT often relevant to IRT. Contains 134 references. (SLD)

Developed models to investigate the fit of parametric item response models by comparing them to models fitted under nonparametric assumptions. Illustrated these techniques through simulation studies and real-data examples. Discusses the identifiability and estimation consistency of item response theory models. (SLD)

Presents a new nonparametric method for constructing a spatial representation of multidimensional test structure, the Conditional Covariance-based SCALing (CCSCAL) method. Describes an index to measure the accuracy of the representation. Uses simulation and real-life data analyses to show that the method provides a suitable approximation to…