Discusses the controversy over the limits that scales of measurement impose on the statistical procedures on the statistical procedures we may apply, using the measurement-theoretic concept of meaningfulness in the analysis of these limits. (RB)

A paradoxical implication of Kraemer's expression for the large-sample standard error of Brogden's form of the biserial correlation is identified, and a new expression is given which does not imply the paradox. However, numerical evidence is presented which calls into question the correctness of the expression. (Author)

A nonmetric coordinate adjustment technique determining scale values for objects whose interobject intervals (differences in subjective value) have been directly compared is developed. In Monte Carlo simulations, the degree of metric determinancy of the scale values appears quite high even when the amount of error is relatively high. (Author/JKS)

Contrasting positions about the evaluation of multiple tests of constraints and control of Type I errors in structural equation modeling (SEM) are presented. It is argued that researchers should consider controlling for Type I errors in evaluating multiple tests of constraints for other than exploratory analyses. (SLD)

Discusses assumptions of multiple regression that are not robust to violation: linearity, reliability of measurement, homoscedasticity, and normality. Stresses the importance of checking assumptions. (SLD)

Used simulation to study two different approaches to latent variable interaction modeling with continuous observed variables: (1) a LISREL 8.30 program and (2) data analysis through PRELIS2 and SIMPLIS programs. Results show that parameter estimation was similar but standard errors were different. Discusses differences in ease of implementation.…

The population discrepancy between Cronbach's Coefficient Alpha (L. Cronbach, 1951) and scale reliability with fixed congeneric measure, uncorrelated errors, and sampling of subjects was studied. The difference is expressed in terms of the individual component violations of the assumption of equal tau-equivalence that is necessary and sufficient…

Derives a method for estimating conditional measurement error variances, that is, error variances specific to individual examinees or specific to each point on the raw score scale of the test. Uses empirical data to corroborate the principal theoretical deductions. (Author/SLD)

The authors propose a concise formula to evaluate the standard error of the estimated latent variable score when the true values of the structural parameters are not known and must be estimated. The formula can be applied to factor scores in factor analysis or ability parameters in item response theory, without bootstrap or Markov chain Monte…

Interest in end-of-year accountability exams has increased dramatically since the passing of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2001. With this increased interest comes a desire to use student data collected throughout the year to estimate student proficiency and predict how well they will perform on end-of-year exams. This article uses student…

Mental retardation (MR) has traditionally been defined as a disorder in intellectual and adaptive functioning beginning in the developmental period. Guided by a federal definition of MR described in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, it is the responsibility of each of the United States to describe eligibility guidelines for special…

The purpose of this study was to empirically evaluate the impact of loglinear presmoothing accuracy on equating bias and variability across chained and post-stratification equating methods, kernel and percentile-rank continuization methods, and sample sizes. The results of evaluating presmoothing on equating accuracy generally agreed with those of…

We present a fun activity that can be used to introduce students to error analysis: the M&M game. Students are told to estimate the number of individual candies plus uncertainty in a bag of M&M's. The winner is the group whose estimate brackets the actual number with the smallest uncertainty. The exercise produces enthusiastic discussions and…

Curriculum-based measurement of oral reading fluency (CBM-R) procedures have been developed to screen and evaluate student performance in reference to local norms and/or benchmarks. Recent changes in federal law have set the stage to use CBM-R data within a response to intervention model to guide high-stakes educational decisions (e.g.,…

A method is outlined for evaluating the reliability and criterion validity of weighted scales based on sets of unidimensional measures. The approach is developed within the framework of latent variable modeling methodology and is useful for point and interval estimation of these measurement quality coefficients in counseling and education…