Two recent indices of fit, the Relative Noncentrality Index (RNI) (R. P. McDonald and H. W. Marsh, 1990) and the Comparative Fit Index (P. M. Bentler, 1990), are shown to be algebraically equivalent in most applications, although one condition in which the RNI may be advantageous for model comparison is identified. (SLD)

Makes the case that hierarchical linear models or longitudinal multilevel models are a better alternative than standard regression models for empirical tests of predictive developmental hypotheses. Describes a multivariate longitudinal model linking developmental data to a criterion and presents an example from a study of the prediction of infant…

The standard univariate and multivariate methods are conventionally used to analyze continuous data from groups by trials repeated measures designs, in spite of being extremely sensitive to departures from the multisample sphericity assumption when group sizes are unequal. However, in the last 10 years several authors have offered alternative…

Seven data sets (namely, clinical data on children) were subjected to clustering by seven algorithms--the B-coefficient, Linear Typal Analysis; elementary linkage analysis, Numerical Taxonomy System, Statistical Analysis System hierarchical clustering method, Taxonomy, and Bolz's Type Analysis. The little-known B-coefficient method compared…

Since computer programs have been available for estimating and testing linear causal models, these models have been used increasingly in the behavioral sciences. This paper discusses the problem that very different causal structures may fit the same set of data equally well. (Author/LMO)

Fuzzy trace theory posits that during development the use of verbatim information for solving transitive relationships shifts to the use of gist information. In cognitive developmental research that uses a cross-sectional design, the binomial mixture model is often used to identify such shifts. Because the binomial mixture model assumes equal task…

Two techniques compose a new methodology for studying certain classes of qualitative information: the F-sort task for data collection and latent partition analysis for data summarization. A detailed presentation is given of its application to a study of teacher's views of facilitating student learning in the classroom. (Author/LMO)

A confirmatory, longitudinal design was used to determine whether deviant adolescent peer culture influences subsequent drug use beyond that which may be obtained from knowledge of present drug use and perceived sources of supply and support. Peer culture measures did not increase prediction over a one year period. (Author/JKS)

Repeated measures and longitudinal studies arise often in social and behavioral science research. During the planning stage of such studies, the calculations of sample size are of particular interest to the investigators and should be an integral part of the research projects. In this article, we consider the power and sample size calculations for…

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relative performance of the parametric, rank, and normal scores procedures when the classical assumptions were met and under violations of these assumptions. This investigation included the normal scores as well as the rank test. (LMO)

This overview of the field of personality theory evaluates the important features of Raymond Cattell's work. While there are many areas of agreement between Cattell and other personality theorists, his rejection of traditional clinical methods for measurement and experimentation has created controversy as well as an extraordinarily rich…

A bivariate generalization of the genotype-environment covariation (GEC) is presented. A multivariate procedure for detecting univariate and bivariate GEC is also described and illustrated via a study of 136 adopted and 125 non-adopted 4-year-old children. (SLD)

Issues the author has explored in his work on the philosophy of statistics are reviewed. Indeterminacy, the place of empiricism, questions of causation and causality, and explorations of language have preceded the study of objectivity. The relationship between objectivity and multivariate statistics is examined. (SLD)

The approximate degrees of freedom Welch-James (WJ) and Brown-Forsythe (BF) procedures for testing within-subjects effects in multivariate groups by trials repeated measures designs were investigated under departures from covariance homogeneity and normality. Empirical Type I error and power rates were obtained for least-squares estimators and…

This article describes the evolution of Raymond B. Cattell's data box (covariation chart), a synoptic conception of psychological data, from its introduction in 1946. Analytical techniques and related methodologies developed from this model by Cattell and other psychological researchers are discussed. (BS)