Discusses decisions that researchers must make in their application of factor analysis to data related to communication phenomena. Offers several suggestions to aid researchers in reaching appropriate decisions. (JMF)

A sample of child guidance clinic patients who received an adult diagnosis of schizophrenia were followed through record sources into middle adulthood. The determination of within-sample differences in long-term adult outcome provided predictive criteria. (Editor)

Cross validates and discusses the Good et al. confirmatory factor analysis of the Gender Role Conflict Scale (GRCS). Data taken from college students (N=684) support the internal consistency reliability of the GRCS and offer tentative proof for its factorial validity. Results highlight the importance of reporting multiple fit indices. (RJM)

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…

Factorial invariance of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III) when administered to deaf children who use sign language was studied with 110 children and the WISC-III standardization sample of 2,200 children. Path coefficients, error variances, and factor covariances were not invariant, indicating that test…

Analyzed construction of approximative expressions with two numerals in Dutch. Found that choice of number words was not arbitrary and that various kinds of factors are involved. Results suggest that analogue magnitude code is used in estimating and comparing, and human cognition seems to be able to perform simple calculations with quantities,…

The relation of the general factor of the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP) to several response set and personality measures and the circumplex structure was studied with 105 and 1,093 undergraduates. Results support the general factor of the IIP as having a substantial nonbiasing interpretation and indicative of general interpersonal…

Presents an approach (designed for beginners) to using PROC CALIS, a Statistical Analysis System (SAS) procedure, to perform path analyses using observed variables. The approach begins with the development of a figure to illustrate the researcher's theoretical model, and then converts the figure into a PROC CALIS program. (SLD)

Studied the construct validity of the Fairy Tale Test (C. Coulacoglu, 1993), a personality projective test for children, in a sample of 800 Greek children aged 8, 10, and 12. Factor analysis led to identification of eight primary factors, and correlations with other measures provide construct validity evidence. (SLD)

Discusses the lack of classification systems as a major deficiency in the field of comparative education. Examines previous typologies of education systems and of forms of intergroup relations. Offers a tentative classification of 135 national education systems based on 15 conventional indicators using factor analysis and cluster analysis.…

The Aiken Attitude to Mathematics Scale (L. Aiken, 1974, 1979) was administered to 430 adult students in a tertiary preparation program, and the factorial validity of the scale was investigated through exploratory factor analysis. Two factors were extracted with high reliabilities, as opposed to Aiken's four-factor structure. (SLD)

Alumni of Rutgers University business administration programs (235 of 500) identified factors that influenced their long-term retention of course material. Four qualities that should be emphasized in teaching are traditional (textbook, lecture, homework); interactive (group work); rejuvenating (variables relieving monotony); and relevant. (SK)

Examines the extent to which three self-report multicultural scales were measuring the predominant three-factor conceptualization of multicultural counseling competence. Results of a confirmatory factor analysis reveal that the three-factor model was not fully supported. Implications of the findings for clinical practice, training, and research…

Based on the observation that scale-level methods are sometimes exclusively used to investigate measurement invariance for test translation, describes results of a simulation study investigating whether item-level differential item functioning (DIF) manifests itself in scale-level analyses such as single and multigroup factor analyses and per…