Given multiple independent measures of an underlying true factor and information on group membership, it is possible to compute a set of observed group means for each measure. Given at least three tests, these sets of means may be used to compute the reliability of the means for each test. The procedure for estimating true scores from the…

Results of two factor analyses of 3,722 student ratings of engineering courses and instructors, obtained by using alternative step factoring criteria, were compared on the basis of six criteria. Results indicated that the ten factor solution obtained by using a step criterion of accounting for 70-75% of the total variance as opposed to a five…

A presentation of the 40-year history of psychometrics is given with comments about needed trends for the future. Computers have radically changed the time required for data processing. In testing, many promising developments, such as Kristof's reliability for vector variables, latent class and latent struction models, one-factor ration scale in…

Item options of shortened forms of the Graduate Record Examination Verbal and Quantitative tests were empirically weighted by two variants of a method originally attributed to Guttman. The first method assigned to each option of an item the mean standard score on the remaining items of all subjects choosing that option. The second procedure…

The purposes of this study were to determine the feasibility of group testing of conservation and examine the differential performance of students drawn from various populations. The effects of three factors were examined: grade level (2, 4, 6), SES (disadvantaged, advantaged, and race (Black, White, Latin). (Author)

The mathematical derivation of the statistics used for inference in some linear models assumes that values of the independent variables are pre-selected such that these variables can be treated as fixed rather than random variables. This assumption is often disregarded when these models are utilized in research. This study is an investigation of…

Five models are introduced for the factor analytic treatment of a set of measures obtained for the same sample of persons on two different occasions. The models differ in terms of the assumptions made regarding the constancy of the (1) factor (actually component) score and (2) factor pattern matrices from occasion 1 to 2. Least-squares procedures…

The Mathematics Attitude Scale (Aiken, 1974) purports to reflect attitude toward mathematics on two basic dimensions, enjoyment and value. While this scale is widely used in mathematics research, the only empirical evidence supporting the two-factor structure is the item analysis of college freshmen responses. The present study examines the…

An inventory was constructed to screen children for psychiatric impairment. Factor analysis of the questionnaire items of child behavior yielded 18 factors. The 7 factors with the highest correlations with total psychiatric impairment were selected for the inventory, each represented by 5 items. (Author)

William Schutz' FIRO scales have come to be used as a measure of a person's orientation to interpersonal relationships. The contrasts in responses among a diversity of vocational groups have been highlighted. This study sampled responses of pastoral counselors, marriage counselors, social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists. (Author)

When multiple-choice tests are scored in the usual manner, giving each correct answer one point, information concerning response patterns is lost. A method for utilizing this information is suggested. An example is presented and compared with two conventional methods of scoring. (Author/JKS)

The Barksdale Self-Esteem Test, the Piers-Harris Childrens Self Concept Scale and the Tennessee Self Concept Scale were administered to three samples of lower middle-class junior high school students and factor analyzed. Six factors were found to be essentially invariant across samples. (Author/JKS)

Three different applications of factor scores lead to three different sets of criteria for optimal estimation procedures. The regression method and the Bartlett method best satisfy the first two sets of criteria, and a generalized Anderson and Rubin procedure is optimal for the third set of criteria. (Author/CTM)

Discusses factor analysis using Rummel's 26-item checklist of essential information that ought to be presented in the published report of a factor analytic study as a guideline for reviewing relevant articles. (JEG)

Discusses three conceptual approaches to the measurement of library use: use, users, and uses. For each of these approaches, units of measure involved conceptual strengths and limitations, and methods of measurement are presented. Two tables of data are included. (Author/JD)