This paper explains how commonality analysis (CA) can be conducted using a specific Statistical Analysis System (SAS) procedure and some simple computations. CA is used in educational and social science research to partition the variance of a dependent variable into its constituent predicted parts. CA determines the proportion of explained…

A formula is derived for the asymptotic standard error of a true-score equating by item response theory (IRT). The equating method is applicable when the two tests to be equated are administered to different groups along with an "anchor test." Numerical standard errors are shown for an actual equating 1) comparing the standard errors of…

This paper attempts to provide some initial information about the use of a variety of item response theory (IRT) models in the item selection process; its purpose is to compare the information curves derived from the selection of items characterized by several different IRT models and their associated parameter estimation programs. These…

Three techniques for estimating Kuder Richardson reliability (KR20) coefficients for incomplete data are contrasted. The methods are: (1) Henderson's Method 1 (analysis of variance, or ANOVA); (2) Henderson's Method 3 (FITCO); and (3) Koch's method of symmetric sums (SYSUM). A Monte Carlo simulation was used to assess the precision of the three…

An upper-asymptote parameter was added to the three-parameter logistic item response model. This four-parameter model was compared to the three-parameter model on four data sets. The fourth parameter increased the likelihood in only two of the four sets. Ability estimates for the students were generally unchanged by the introduction of the fourth…

Results of a comparative study of F and Q tests, in a randomized block design with one replication per cell, are presented. In addition to these two procedures, a multivariate test was also considered. The model and test statistics, data generation and parameter selection, results, summary and conclusions are presented. Ten tables contain the…

There are at least two situations in which the behavioral scientist wishes to transform uniformly distributed data into normally distributed data: (1) In studies of sampling distributions where uniformly distributed pseudo-random numbers are generated by a computer but normally distributed numbers are desired; and (2) In measurement applications…

A comparative study of the cost effectiveness of retrospective manual and on-line bibliographic searching is described. Individual task times for question analysis, searching, photocopying, shelving and output distribution were measured, and component costs for labor, information, reproduction, physical space and telecommunications calculated. The…

Two procedures for Rasch, sample-free item calibration are reviewed and compared for accuracy. The theoretically ideal "conditional" procedure is impractical for more than fifteen items. The more practical but biased "unconditional" procedure is discussed in detail. (Author/JKS)

This paper describes a variety of confirmatory factor analysis models that provide improved tests of multitrait-multimethod matrices, and compares three different approaches (the original Campbell-Fiske guidelines, an analysis of variance model, and confirmatory factor analysis models). (PN)

A method based on the Poisson approximation to the binomial distribution and on the relation between the Chi-Squared distribution and the Poisson distribution is suggested for selected use in determining the number of items and passing scores in mastery Lests. (Author/RL)

Dunnett's procedure for comparing K-1 treatments with a control is discussed within the context of three nonparametric models: those of Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman, and Cochran. (Author/MH)

Simulation techniques were used to generate conventional test responses and track the proportion of alternatives examinees could classify independently before and after taking the test. Finite-state scores were compared with these actual values and with number-correct and formula scores. Finite-state scores proved useful. (TJH)

The one-sided problem of comparing treatments with a standard on the basis of data available in the context of a one-way analysis of variance is examined, and the methodology of S. Chakraborti and J. D. Gibbons (1991) is extended to the case of unequal sample sizes. (SLD)

Two versions of a decision rule for determining the most appropriate number of clusters on the basis of a correlation matrix are presented, applied, and compared with three other decision rules. The new rule is efficient for determining the number of clusters on the surface level for multilevel data. (SLD)