The notion of scale freeness does not seem to have been well understood in the factor analytic literature. Misconceptions concerning scale-freeness are clarified, and a theorem that ensures scale freeness in the orthogonal factor model is given in this paper. (Author/JKS)

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-3rd Edition (WAIS-III) was released in 1997. Short forms developed for previous versions have not yet been investigated for the WAIS-III in special populations. A 4-subtest short form by A. B. Silverstein emerged as the most promising short form in an elderly sample. (Contains 49 references, 4 tables, and 2…

Notes that studies in psychology often have low power because of inadequate sample size and that prevalent psychometric distributions are sometimes radically nonnormal. Demonstrates robustness of independent samples t-test with respect to Type I error. Shows that researchers may use power tables based on population normality without modification…

Proposes a method for performing survival analysis with latent variables with dual aims of scoring subjects with respect to a psychological variable of interest and distinguishing the varying extents to which items are capable of measuring the construct. Illustrates this discrete proportional hazards model. (SLD)

Introduces a section of class handouts from Professor Benjamin D. Wright at the University of Chicago. Handouts summarize concepts in psychometrics and measurement techniques. (SLD)

Outlines essential points to learn in psychometrics, listing "basics" and essential concepts in measurement and statistics, and showing the importance of the Rasch model. (SLD)

Latent variable models for an infinite sequence (or universe) of manifest variables that may be discrete, continuous, or a combination of both, are considered. A main theorem is presented that characterizes when it is possible to construct latent variable models that satisfy unidimensionality, monotonicity, conditional independence, and tail…

The main purpose of this article and this special section is to encourage greater attention to evidence-based assessment (EBA) in the development of a scientifically supported clinical child and adolescent psychology. This increased attention is especially important in light of (a) the omission of assessment considerations in recent efforts to…

Quantitative psychology is concerned with the development and application of mathematical models in the behavioral sciences. Over time, models have become more complex, a consequence of the increasing complexity of research designs and experimental data, which is also a consequence of the utility of mathematical models in the science. As models…

We are very grateful for the thoughtful, scholarly, and insightful comments of the reactants and appreciate the kind words about our Major Contribution. One of the goals of the Major Contribution was to review the existing literature on problem-solving appraisal as measured by the Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) (Heppner, 1988) and, subsequently,…

Attention is brought to the existence of incongruity in the definition of reliability in the literature, and some unnecessary controversies and confusions which result. A conventionalization of the meaning of reliability at a conceptual, model-free level is proposed. Through the exploration of two paradoxes, this article attempts to address some…

The factor structure of several self-report questionnaires assessing depression-relevant cognitions frequently employed in clinical research was examined in a sample of 390 adolescents (M age = 14.54; 216 girls; 74% Caucasian) with current major depressive disorder enrolled in the Treatment of Adolescents with Depression Study. A four-factor…

A short form of the Drinking Motive Questionnaire Revised (DMQ-R; Cooper, 1994) was developed, using different item selection strategies based on a national representative sample of 5,617 12- to 18-year-old students in Switzerland. To confirm the concurrent validity of the short-form questionnaire, or DMQ-R SF, data from a second national sample…

The psychometric properties and factor structure of the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale were examined in a sample of 422 male and female adolescents (ages 12-17) with current major depressive disorder. The scale demonstrated high internal consistency ([alpha] = 0.93) and correlated significantly with self-report and interview-based measures of…

The objective of this study was development and psychometric testing of an adaptive, International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF)-oriented questionnaire to be processed by the rehabilitation physician that aids in assessing mobility, self-care, and domestic life (Moses-Physician). The intent is to develop a physician…