In 2001, Elliot and McGregor proposed a 2 x 2 (mastery-performance x approach- avoidance) achievement goal frameworks and developed a questionnaire to measure four goals (mastery-approach, mastery-avoidance, performance-approach, and performance-avoidance goals). This study examines the dual meanings of items in 2 x 2 achievement goal…

Motivated by Gibbons et al.'s (Appl. Psychol. Meas. 31:4-19, "2007") full-information maximum marginal likelihood item bifactor analysis for polytomous data, and Rijmen, Vansteelandt, and De Boeck's (Psychometrika 73:167-182, "2008") work on constructing computationally efficient estimation algorithms for latent variable…

To empirically investigate language learning in relational and cultural settings, the authors developed and administered the Ecological Language Learning and Academic Success scale to an ethnically diverse sample of 269 urban high school students who speak a language other than English at home. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a four-factor…

The aim of the paper is to assess the construct validation of a multidimensional measure of social cohesion which is well theoretically grounded and has an equivalent/comparable interpretation across all European countries. Up-to-now published research on social cohesion is deficient in either one or both of these important aspects. This paper…

Spearman's factor-analytic model has been proposed as a unidimensional linear item response theory (IRT) model for continuous item responses. This article first proposes a reexpression of the model that leads to a form similar to that of standard IRT models for binary responses and discusses the item indices of difficulty discrimination and…

Some three-way factor analysis and multidimensional scaling models incorporate the principle of parallel proportional profiles of R. B. Cattell. Proof is presented for a unique axis orientation for a more general parallel profiles model that incorporates interacting dimensions. Special cases of PARAFAC2 and CANDECOMP models are discussed. (SLD)

A model is proposed in which different sets of linear constraints are imposed on different dimensions in component analysis and classical multidimensional scaling frameworks. An algorithm is presented for fitting the model to the data by least squares. Examples demonstrate the method. (SLD)

The distance approach to nonlinear multivariate analysis proposed by J. J. Meulman (1986) is reviewed. Several generalizations are discussed by combining features from the conventional multivariate analysis approach, which seeks weighted sums of variables, with the alternative approach, which seeks to fit distances. (SLD)

Three methods for grouping items in an opinion survey were compared for their utility in subscale construction: rational organization according to content, factor analysis, and multidimensional scaling. Only subscales based on factor analysis could be refined to meet the criteria of reliability, additivity, and interpretability simultaneously. (SV)

A reanalysis of the intercorrelation matrix from a principal components analysis of the Life Styles Inventory was conducted using a Canadian sample. Using nonmetric multidimensional scaling, analyses show an almost perfect circumplex pattern. Results illustrate the inadequacy of factor analytic procedures for the analysis and representation of a…

Although some research has examined the factorial nature of the Multidimensional Aptitude Battery (MAB), none has tested hypotheses relevant to both oblique and orthogonal models via confirmatory factor analysis. Thus, in this investigation, a series of models was tested, which compared the model fit of both oblique/higher order models against a…

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the domain specificity of multidimensional motivation and engagement (adaptive cognitions, adaptive behaviors, impeding/maladaptive cognitions, maladaptive behaviors) in mathematics, English and science high school subjects, with an additional focus on three key educational correlates (educational…

Sufficient conditions are derived for the consistency and asymptotic normality of the least squares estimator of a trilinear decomposition model for multiway data analysis. The limiting covariance matrix is computed. (Author/SLD)

This article describes the development and psychometric assessment of a multidimensional, domain-specific Career Locus of Control Scale (CLOC) designed for use with adolescent school pupils engaged in the career development and decision-making process. A 47-item version was administered to 743 school pupils, age 15 or 16 years evenly split between…

The usefulness of L. Guttman's partial order scalogram analysis is investigated in this study of the structure of a set of items that measure attitudes toward legal abortion. These items, drawn from the National Opinion Research Center's "General Social Survey," have been the focus of considerable applied research investigating…