Psychology studies often have low statistical power. Sample size tables, as given by J. Cohen (1988), may be used to increase power, but they are based on Monte Carlo studies of relatively "tame" mathematical distributions, as compared to psychology data sets. In this study, Monte Carlo methods were used to investigate Type I and Type II…

Monte Carlo studies of statistical tests are prominently featured in the methodological research literature. Unfortunately, the information from these studies does not appear to have significantly influenced methodological practice in educational and psychological research. One reason is that Monte Carlo studies lack an overarching theory to guide…

The Monte Carlo method was used, and the factors considered were (1) level of main effects in the population; (2) level of interaction effects in the population; (3) alpha level used in determining whether to pool; and (4) number of degrees of freedom. The results indicated that when the ratio degrees of freedom (axb)/degrees of freedom (within)…

The effects of sample size, number of variables, and population value of the congruence coefficient on the sampling distribution of the congruence coefficient were examined. Sample data were generated on the basis of the common factor model, and principal axes factor analyses were performed. (Author/LMO)

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)

Some activities designed around the Monte Carlo method of solving probability problems are described. The instructional applications of this method involve physical models or simple BASIC computer programs. (MP)

Analyzes a simple boom structure and assesses its reliability using elementary engineering mechanics. Demonstrates the power and utility of Monte-Carlo simulation by showing that such a simulation can be implemented more readily with results that compare favorably to the theoretical calculations. (Author/MM)

To demonstrate that some methods used to assess item fit can be applied to assess person fit and vice versa, performance of a chi-squared item-fit statistic was compared with that of a likelihood-based person-fit statistic for examinees and items under Monte Carlo conditions. (SLD)

A Monte Carlo study investigated the use of four cross-validation indices with confirmatory factor analysis models. Influences of sample size, loading size, and degree of model misspecification were studied. Larger sample sizes and better specified models result in better cross-validation results. (SLD)

This article proposes an item response theory (IRT) approach to constructing and scoring multidimensional pairwise preference items. Individual statements are administered and calibrated using a unidimensional single-stimulus model. Tests are created by combining multidimensional items with a small number of unidimensional pairings needed to…

This Monte Carlo study examined strategies for forming the matching variable for the Mantel-Haenszel (MH) differential item functioning (DIF) procedure. Data were generated using a three-parameter logistic item response theory model, with common guessing parameters. The number of subjects and test length were manipulated, as were the difficulty,…

J. A. Emrick's (1971) model is a latent class model of mastery testing that can be used to estimate the proportion of masters in a given population. A. Hamerle (1980), in a recent paper on this model, has proposed an estimator for the proportion of masters that is claimed to constitute a maximum likelihood approach. It is indicated that Hamerle is…

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 Feldt-Gilmer congeneric reliability coefficients make it possible to estimate the reliability of a test composed of parts of unequal, unknown length. The approximate standard errors of the Feldt-Gilmer coefficients are derived via a method using the multivariate Taylor's expansion. Monte Carlo simulation is employed to corroborate the…

A Monte Carlo Study was conducted to evaluate six models commonly used to evaluate change. The results revealed specific problems with each. Analysis of covariance and analysis of variance of residualized gain scores appeared to substantially and consistently overestimate the change effects. Multiple factor analysis of variance models utilizing…