Properties of the Spearman correction for attenuation were investigated using Monte Carlo methods, under conditions where correlations between error scores exist as a population parameter and also where correlated errors arise by chance in random sampling. Equations allowing for all possible dependence among true and error scores on two tests at…

This article proposes an intuitive approach for predictive discriminant analysis with mixed continuous, dichotomous, and ordered categorical variables that are defined via an underlying multivariate normal distribution with a threshold specification. The classification rule is based on the comparison of the observed data logarithm probability…

Value added has emerged as a hot-button topic in the assessment literature, due in large part to the Commission on the Future of Higher Education. Value added, as conceptualized by Astin (1985), reflects talent development, "changes in the student from the beginning to the end of an educational program. These changes can cover a wide range of…

In this study, the authors assess several strategies created on the basis of the Mantel-Haenszel (MH) procedure for conducting differential item functioning (DIF) analysis with small samples. One of the analytical strategies is a loss function (LF) that uses empirical Bayes Mantel-Haenszel estimators, whereas the other strategies use the classical…

In February 2008, the School Choice Demonstration Project (SCDP) issued its first report on the fiscal impact of the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) on taxpayers in Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin. There are two reasons to update the 2008 report. First, the figures will naturally change with the continuing growth of the voucher…

This research derives simplified formulas for computing the standard error of the frequency estimation method for equating score distributions that are continuized using a uniform or Gaussian kernel function (P. W. Holland, B. F. King, and D. T. Thayer, 1989; Holland and Thayer, 1987). The simplified formulas are applicable to equating both the…

Planned comparisons have been known for several years. Due to the availability of computers, these comparisons have become a more viable alternative to post hoc testing. There are several different types of planned comparisons that can be performed. Research goals must be well thought out when using planned comparisons, since the appropriate…

Three successively simpler formulas for approximating the standard error of measurement were derived by applying successively more simplifying assumptions to the standard formula based on the standard deviation and the Kuder-Richardson formula 20 estimate of reliability. The accuracy of each of these three formulas, with respect to the standard…

The ability of bisection procedures to specify the form of the psychophysical scale depends upon the precision of the technique. It is demonstrated that this precision is a function of the stimulus interval bisected. The testing of interval scale properties of derived scales is discussed. (Author/JKS)

Goodman contributed to the theory of scaling by including a category of intrinsically unscalable respondents in addition to the usual scale-type respondents. However, his formulation permits only error-free responses by respondents from the scale types. This paper presents new scaling models which have additional desirable properties. (Author/JKS)

Used Johnson's transformation (N. Johnson, 1978) with approximate test statistics to test the homogeneity of simple linear regression slopes in the presence of nonnormality and Type I, Type II or complete heteroscedasticity. Computer simulations show that the proposed techniques can control Type I error under various circumstances. (SLD)

Presents a construction method for all factors that satisfy the assumptions of the model for factor analysis, including partially determined factors where certain error variances are zero. Illustrates that variable elimination can have a large effect on the seriousness of factor indeterminacy. (SLD)

This article provides a framework for reporting internal consistency reliability in counseling research and other related social science fields, including guidelines relative to score reliability coefficients and associated confidence intervals for both full sample and subgroups. Follow-up techniques for investigating low score reliability are…

Established a new criterion for the identification of recursive linear models in which some errors are correlated. Shows that identification is assured as long as error correlation does not exist between a cause and its direct effect; no restrictions are imposed on errors associated with indirect causes. (SLD)