This article describes a new, unified framework for linear equating in a non-equivalent groups anchor test (NEAT) design. The authors focus on three methods for linear equating in the NEAT design--Tucker, Levine observed-score, and chain--and develop a common parameterization that shows that each particular equating method is a special case of the…

Two experiments examined identification and bisection of tones varying in temporal duration (Experiment 1) or frequency (Experiment 2). Absolute identification of both durations and frequencies was influenced by prior stimuli and by stimulus distribution. Stimulus distribution influenced bisection for both stimulus types consistently, with more…

Pigeons' choosing between fixed-interval and random-interval schedules of reinforcement was investigated in three experiments using a discrete-trial procedure. In all three experiments, the random-interval schedule was generated by sampling a probability distribution at an interval (and in multiples of the interval) equal to that of the…

The need for hands-on computer laboratory experience in undergraduate and graduate statistics education has been firmly established in the past decade. As a result a number of attempts have been undertaken to develop novel approaches for problem-driven statistical thinking, data analysis and result interpretation. In this paper we describe an…

A longstanding debate focuses on whether suicide and homicide rates walk hand in hand or whether they are reciprocally related. Much of the research on this issue investigates whether suicide or homicide predominates in certain geographic areas or whether they trend together over time. We theorize that the degree of social integration and social…

Event-related potentials were measured as subjects read sentences presented word by word. A small N400 and a robust P600 effect were elicited by verbs that assigned the thematic role of Agent to their preceding noun-phrase argument when this argument was inanimate in nature. The amplitude of the P600, but not the N400, was modulated by the…

Kernel equating is a method of equating test scores devised by P. W. Holland and D. T. Thayer (1989). It takes its name from kernel smoothing, a process of smoothing a function by replacing each discrete value with a frequency distribution. It can be used when scores on two forms of a test are to be equated directly or when they are to be equated…

The test of homogeneity developed by L. V. Hedges (1982) for the fixed effects model is frequently used in quantitative meta-analyses to test whether effect sizes are equal. Despite its widespread use, evidence of the behavior of this test for the less-than-ideal case of small study sample sizes paired with large numbers of studies is…

Clinicians use a common practice of reporting age or grade equivalent derived scores, but problems of interpretation exist for such scores. This article examines derived comparison score issues and recommends use of scores of relative standing such as percentile ranks or standard scores in contrast to use of developmental scores like age and grade…

In order to obtain conditional maximum likelihood estimates, the so-called conditioning estimates have to be calculated. In this paper a method is examined that does not calculate these constants exactly, but approximates them using Monte Carlo Markov Chains. As an example, the method is applied to the conditional estimation of both item and…

Model-based methods for estimating the population mean in stratified clustered sampling are described. The importance of adjusting the weights is assessed by an approach considering the sampling variation of the adjusted weights and its (variance) components. The resulting estimators are more efficient than the jackknife estimators for a variety…

Approaches for norming skewed test score distributions are reviewed, and an analytical approach is proposed for norming the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC). Methods used in constructing norms for several well-known personality instruments that are reviewed include: (1) linear T-scores transformation in the Minnesota Multiphasic…

This simple method for simulating the Central Limit Theorem with students in a beginning nonmajor statistics class requires students to use dice to simulate drawing samples from a discrete uniform distribution. On a chalkboard, the distribution of sample means is superimposed on a graph of the discrete uniform distribution to provide visual…

Increasing the level of educational attainment of the population may not always increase the social benefits for those who receive the education. In fact, when a high percentage of the population attains a certain level of education, that attainment ceases to provide socioeconomic benefits; instead, those few who have not reached that educational…

Bureau of Labor statistics prove that schools are not top-heavy with administrators, contrary to the myth and Secretary William Bennett's assertion. Administrators comprise 6.6 percent of school employees and public education ranks 28 out of 35 occupations in terms of the percentage of administrative personnel. Accounting and bookkeeping lead with…