This article is a methodological-substantive synergy. Methodologically, we demonstrate latent-variable contextual models that integrate structural equation models (with multiple indicators) and multilevel models. These models simultaneously control for and unconfound measurement error due to sampling of items at the individual (L1) and group (L2)…

Using reasonable values for the parameters in both null and alternative hypotheses about covariance matrices, an optimal and feasible combination of number of subjects, significance level, and power of the test were determined for an empirical study of the measurement of musical ability. (Author/BW)