Thirteen ability tests were administered as defined within a mapping sentence containing four content facets: rule type, expression mode, language of communication and dimensionality of portrayed object. Smallest Space Analysis of intercorrelations among test scores showed the radex structure of the two-dimensional space conformed to the…

In three studies, college students evaluated their instructor on student-rating-of-instruction items. Based upon item content and a component analysis of the item intercorrelations, four scales were constructed. They were judged to possess an acceptable degree of internal consistency and construct validity to be useful in further research.…

Boehm's classification of test items on the Boehm Test of Basic Concepts (BTBC) was examined from a factor analytic perspective. A single, general factor related to the acquisition of basic verbal concepts best described the instrument. This factor was constant across the two forms of the BTBC. (Author/GK)

The jackknife by groups and modifications of the jackknife by groups are used to estimate standard errors of rotated factor loadings for selected populations in common factor model maximum likelihood factor analysis. Simulations are performed in which t-statistics based upon these jackknife estimates of the standard errors are computed.…

The WISC-R was investigated by using measures of profile (multivariate) reliability to determine its most reliable dimensions and the precision and similarity of the multivariate structure across age groups. The structure of the WISC-R subscales was stable across age groups. Two strategies for the interpretation of WISC-R profiles are offered.…

Kerlinger's criterial referents theory of attitudes was tested cross-culturally by administering an education attitude referents summated-rating scale to 713 individuals in Israel. The response pattern to criterial and noncriterial referents was examined. Results indicated empirical cross-cultural validity of theory, but questioned measuring…

Underlying constructs of the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale for Children (NSLOCSC) were identified through factor analysis and cross-validated with two similar samples of high school students. The two resultant dimensions appeared to measure Social Control (six items) and Self Control (two items). (Author/GK)

The Internal Structure of the New Study Processes Questionnaire (Biggs, 1979) was investigated with samples of Australian and Filipino university students. The internal consistency reliabilities, item and subscale factor analysis, were quite favorable for the Australian sample; however, results indicated that the instrument may not be suitable for…

Intercorrelations among 71 items of the Cornell Critical Thinking Test revealed five dimensions: relevance; irrelevance; differentiating levels of reliability of observations or of authorities; accuracy of deduction; and determination of the accuracy of an assumption. The test may lack construct validity, as only the deduction factor could be…

Nowicki characterized children's locus of control beliefs in terms of three factors: helplessness, luck, and achievement. This study investigated whether these factors are sufficiently consistent or invariant to be used in further analyses. (Author/DB)

Offers suggestions for proper procedures for authors to use--and some pitfalls to avoid--when writing studies using factor analysis methods. Discusses distinctions among different methods of analysis, the adequacy of factor structure, and other notes of caution. Encourages authors to ensure that their research is statistically sound. (RJM)

Demonstrates how data smoothing procedures--procedures commonly used in the development of continuous test norms--can provide better estimates of the reliability, uniqueness, and general factor characteristics for the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, third edition, subtests. Suggests that such procedures are applicable to other test…

Generalizations of L. A. Goodman's RC(M) association model (1991 and earlier) are presented for three-way tables. These three-mode association models use L. R. Tucker's three-mode components model (1964, 1966) to represent the three-factor interaction or the combined effects of two- and three-factor interactions. (SLD)