This paper reviews recent work in factor analysis of categorical variables. Emphasis is on the generalized least squares solution. A section on maximum likelihood solution focuses on extensions of the classical model, especially the normal case. Many of the recent developments have taken place within this context, and it provides a unified…

Meta-analysis is a technique for combining the summary statistics from previously conducted research studies to indicate the direction of results and provide an index of the magnitude of effect size. This paper focuses on the effect of the violation of the assumption of independence (that the value of any included statistic is in no way…

The purpose of this paper is to illuminate the advantages of path analysis for the exposition of results in data analytic papers. Probably the greatest advantage is that it provides a means by which the nature of the problem may be handily summarized. The method of path analysis, although conceived over sixty years ago by Sewell Wright, has only…

THIS REPORT PRESENTS A DISCUSSION OF 2 TECHNIQUES WHICH CAN BE USED TO REPRESENT AND INTERPRET MULTIVARIATE STATISTICAL SYSTEMS WHEN IT IS FELT THAT THERE ARE CAUSAL RELATIONS BETWEEN SOME OF THE VARIABLES. THE BASIC TECHNIQUE IS PATH ANALYSIS AND THE OTHER IS ITS EXTENSION THROUGH THE USE OF RECURSIVE SYSTEMS OF EQUATIONS. THE ANALYSIS IS…

This paper, a revision of the original document, "Correcting Partial, Multiple, and Canonical Correlations for Attenuation" (see TM 000 535), presents the formula for correcting coefficients of partial correlation for attenuation due to errors of measurement. In addition, the correction for attenuation formulas for multiple and cannonical…

The application and use of hierarchical models is illustrated, using the example of the structure of attitudes toward a new product and a print advertisement. Subjects were college students who responded to seven-point bipolar scales. Hierarchical models were better than nonhierarchical models in conceptualizing attitude but not intention. (GDC)

Procedures for simultaneous confirmatory factor analysis in several populations are useful in a variety of problems. This is demonstrated with examples involving missing data, comparison of part correlations between groups, testing the equality of regression weights between groups with multiple indicators of each variable, and the formulation of…

With even the simplest bivariate regression, least-squares solutions are inappropriate unless one assumes a priori that reciprocal effects are absent, or at least implausible. While this discussion is limited to bivariate regression, the issues apply equally to multivariate regression, including stepwise regression. (Author/CTM)

Implications of ignoring correlated error on parameter estimates in some simple structural equation models are examined. It is shown analytically and empirically through simulation that ignoring positive between-construct correlated error overestimates the structural parameter linking the two constructs. Effects become more pronounced with…

Different approaches to defining suppression in multiple regression/correlation are compared, and their differences are illustrated. A test for determining the significance of a suppressor effect, which is based on the definition of suppression of W. F. Velicer, is extended to the general multiple predictor case and analysis of variance. (SLD)

A well-established approach to modeling clustered data introduces random effects in the model of interest. Mixed-effects logistic regression models can be used to predict discrete outcome variables when observations are correlated. An extension of the mixed-effects logistic regression model is presented in which the dependent variable is a latent…

The impact of the use of data arising from balanced incomplete block (BIB) spiralled designs on the chi-square goodness-of-fit test in factor analysis is considered. Data from BIB designs posses a unique pattern of missing data that can be characterized as missing completely at random (MCAR). Standard approaches to factor analyzing such data rest…

To assess the effects of correlated abilities on test characteristics, and to explore the effects of correlated abilities on the use of a multidimensional item response theory model which does not explicitly account for such a correlation, two tests were constructed. One had two relatively unidimensional subsets of items, the other had all…

A method of estimating the operating characteristics of a new test item added to an established test without assuming a prior model has been proposed by the author. In this paper, the author extends this logic by proposing a different hypothesized distribution of the resulting estimate. The former method used a normal approximation; the present…

We concern ourselves with the hypothesis that two variables have a perfect disattenuated correlation, hence measure the same trait except for errors of measurement. This hypothesis is equivalent to saying, within the adopted model, that true scores of two psychological tests satisfy a linear relation. Statistical tests of this hypothesis are…