Developed a multidimensional Rasch model that is a multidimensional extension of item component models and determined relations to existing multidimensional item response theory models. Applied the model to a questionnaire on students' interest in physics to demonstrate that model parameters can be estimated even when 17 latent dimensions are to…

How longitudinal factor score estimation--the estimation of the evolution of factor scores for individual examinees over time--can profit from the Kalman filter technique is described. The Kalman estimates change more cautiously over time, have lower estimation error variances, and reproduce the LISREL program latent state correlations more…

Applications of the confirmatory factor analysis block-diagonal model to published data on 18 multitrait-multimethod matrices were reviewed to show widespread estimation problems. Possible causes of estimation difficulties were explored using computer simulations. These problems make the block-diagonal approach less useful than has generally been…

Log-linear model bivariate smoothing and a bivariate smoothing model based on the four-parameter beta binomial model were compared for usefulness in frequency estimation common-item equipercentile equating using two datasets. The performance of smoothed equipercentile methods was also compared to that of linear methods of common-item equating.…

Research on the direct-product model is extended by deriving hierarchically nested models for explicitly testing the patterns of method and trait factors and through formal tests developed for the pattern of communalities. These procedures are illustrated, and use of the MUTMUM computer program is discussed. (SLD)

The asymptotic sampling distributions (means and variances) are presented for the signed and unsigned estimates for the Rasch model, two-parameter model, and the three-parameter model with fixed lower asymptotes. Applications for item-bias research are discussed. (SLD)

Multilinear formula scoring (MFS) is reviewed, with emphasis on estimating option characteristic curves (OCSs). MFS was used to estimate OCSs for the arithmetic reasoning subtest of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery for 2,978 examinees. A second analysis obtained OCSs for simulated data. The use of MFS is discussed. (SLD)

Monte Carlo techniques were used to examine regression approaches to external unfolding. The present analysis examined the technique to determine if various characteristics of the points are recovered (such as ideal points). Generally, monotonic analyses resulted in good recovery. (TJH)

A simple procedure for establishing convergent and discriminant validity is presented, as an alternative to the LISREL-based nested model used by R. P. Bagozzi (1978) and K. F. Widaman (1985). Ordinary least-squares regression is used, with the correlation between measures as the dependent variable. (SLD)

The adequacy of multidimensional trait and item parameters using multidimensional item response theory analysis was studied through simulation using different degrees of correlation between two trait dimensions and the existence of a restricted trait on the second dimension. Conditions allowing adequate recovery of trait and item parameters are…

Investigates the BILOG computer program's ability to recover known item parameters for different numbers of items, examinees, and variances of the prior distributions of discrimination parameters for the two-parameter logistic item-response theory model. For samples of at least 250 examinees and 15 items, simulation results support using BILOG.…

A probabilistic parallelogram model (the PARELLA model) is presented for the measurement of latent traits by proximity items. This unidimensional model assumes that the responses of persons to items result from proximity relations. The model is illustrated in an analysis of three empirical datasets from previous studies. (SLD)

The implications of serially correlated effects on the results of generalizability analyses are discussed. Simulated data are provided that demonstrate the biases that serially correlated effects introduce into the results. Serial correlation in measurement effects can have a marked influence on the impression of the dependability of measurement…

Two joint maximum likelihood estimation methods (LOGIST 2B and LOGIST 5) and two marginal maximum likelihood estimation methods (BILOG and ForScore) were contrasted by measuring the difference between a simulation model and a model obtained by applying an estimation method to simulation data. Marginal estimation was generally superior. (SLD)

Path Analysis of Covariance Matrix (PACM) is described as a way to separately estimate measurement and structural models using standard least squares procedures. PACM was empirically compared to simultaneous maximum likelihood estimation and use of the LISREL computer program, and its advantages are identified. (SLD)