A computer simulation study was conducted to determine the feasibility of using logistic regression procedures to detect differential item functioning (DIF) in polytomous items. Results indicate that logistic regression is powerful in detecting most forms of DIF, although it requires large amounts of data manipulation and careful interpretation.…

A management simulation game that trains student nurses for clinical practice was evaluated using 528 responses from 557 participants. The vast majority found it an enjoyable and appropriate way to learn skills in a safe environment. Teamwork and information sharing with peers were also valuable. (SK)

Used three approaches to understand the effect of the number of variables in the model on model fit in structural equation modeling through computer simulation. Developed a simple formula for the theoretical value of the comparative fit index. (SLD)

Attempted to illuminate practical limitations on the Rasch model by focusing on the recovery of the density scale through five simulation trials. Results show that when error distributions are insufficient, the results may be ordinal at best, and when error distributions are nonsymmetrical, the positions of items may be biased with respect to the…

Used Monte Carlo simulation to compare the properties of a goodness-of-fit (GOF) procedure and a test statistic developed by E. Bartfay and A. Donner (2001) to the likelihood ratio test in assessing the existence of extra variation. Results show the GOF procedure possess satisfactory Type I error rate and power. (SLD)

Role playing is a useful method for teaching cultural competence in nurse-patient situations. Successful implementation depends on identification of objectives and grading criteria, adequate time, guidelines for role specifications, monitoring of the process, delineation of the relationship to theory, and facilitation of constructive analysis.…

Discussion pf the stress associated with the educational use of games and simulations focuses on a study of graduate students that used the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to determine that people with certain personality types experience stress at different intensities. Also found that all participants, regardless of personality type, needed…

Studied the performance of rank (percentile) estimators in a basic two-stage hierarchical model capturing essential features of more complicated models commonly used to estimate effects. Simulation results highlight the need to assess whether even optimal percentile estimators perform sufficiently well to be used to evaluate teachers or schools.…

A Monte Carlo simulation was conducted to study the Type I error rate and power of the 1994 approximation developed by R. A. Alexander and D. M. Govern as an alternative to the analysis of variance "F" test. Conditions under which this test is the best approach are discussed. (SLD)

Although technical developments have occurred in the design and use of business simulations for management training, other changes are needed to keep them relevant. Design of simulations should address current and future trends in the workplace and skills that will be needed by managers. (SK)

Simulation results show that the power to detect small mean differences when fitting a model with free residual variances across groups decreases as the difference in R squared increases. This decrease is more pronounced in the presence of correlated errors and if group sample sizes differ. (SLD)

Reexamined the nature of structural equation modeling (SEM) estimates of autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models, replicated the simulation experiments of P. Molenaar, and examined the behavior of the log-likelihood ratio test. Simulation studies indicate that estimates of ARMA parameters observed with SEM software are identical to those…

Introduces the Rater Bundle Model, an item response model for repeated ratings of student work. Applies the model to real and simulated data to illustrate the approach, which was motivated by the observation that when repeated ratings occur, the assumption of conditional independence is violated, and current item response models can then…

Investigated the data demands associated with the marginal maximum likelihood (MML) expected a posterior (EAP) methodology and the precision of the resulting parameter estimates when data fit the underlying model through simulation. Also studied the extent to which a misspecified prior distribution would affect the item and person parameter…

Reports results of a controlled experiment to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of a learning process that takes place in a dynamic computer-based simulation, done with and without recording and accessing the history of the learning process. Discusses findings with respect to the self-learning process and using simulators in electronic…