Excellence in research is essential for advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and addressing societal challenges. This article proposes the INDEX Strategy Framework as a structured, evidence-based guide to optimize the research process. The framework encompasses five critical phases: Identify Focus Areas, Network and Collaborate, Design…

Simple matrix sampling planned missing (SMS PD) design, introduce missing data patterns that lead to covariances between variables that are not jointly observed, and create difficulties for analyses other than mean and variance estimations. Based on prior research, we adopted a new multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approach to handle…

Managing and analysing large qualitative datasets pose a particular challenge for researchers seeking a consistent and rigorous approach to qualitative data analysis. This paper describes and demonstrates the development and adoption of a matrix tool to guide the qualitative data analysis of a large sample (N = 122) of interview data. The paper…

All cognitive diagnostic models that evaluate educational test data require a Q-matrix that combines every item in a test with the required cognitive skills for each item to be answered correctly. Generally, the Q-matrix is constructed by education experts' judgment, leading to some uncertainty in its elements. Various statistical methods are…

As the international large-scale assessments (ILSAs) become more popular, policy makers and education practitioners are interested in collecting as much student background information as possible to better understand the learning context of their students. To collect such abundant information, administrators need to develop a lot of questions.…

There is significant controversy over what counts as evidence in the evaluation of social interventions. It is increasingly common to use methodological criteria to rank evidence types in a hierarchy, with Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) at or near the highest level. Because of numerous challenges to a hierarchical approach, this article…

Generalized symmetric means are redefined in a way which allows them to be calculated for any matrix sampling design. It is proved that these sample generalized symmetric means are unbiased estimates of the analogous population generalized symmetric means. Illustrative examples are given. (Author)

Two studies were conducted to compare responses to matrix questionnaires with those to standard questionnaires. In the first study, the matrix format produced significantly fewer returns. A second study comparing matrix and standard questionnaires of equal size found similar response rates but more incomplete returns for the matrix form.…

A FORTRAN computer program was derived for an IBM series 360/370 computer system that provides a factor analytic solution for large three-dimensional data matrices. The computational procedures employed are based upon those presented in Method III by Tucker. (Author/JKS)

The use of multiple regression as a data-analytic tool is examined for the cases of balanced and unbalanced designs. The utility of this method for testing specific contrasts, both orthogonal and nonorthogonal is discussed and some interpretive cautions are examined. (Author)

Complete paired comparisons data was obtained by use of multiple rank order (MRO) in the context of gathering rank order preferences of grade six students, their parents, and teachers for instructional objectives. Partially balanced incomplete block designs with two associate classes were used in the MRO instruments instead of the usual balanced…

Describes a set of five programs providing robust techniques that work well when the assumption of conventional analysis of variance have been violated. (Author/RC)

The effects of the violation of the assumption of normality in the conditional distributions of the dependent variable, coupled with the condition of multicollinearity upon the outcome of testing the hypothesis that the regression coefficient equals zero, are investigated via a Monte Carlo study. (Author/JKS)

This paper outlines the problems associated with the estimation of variance components in generalizability analyses using analysis of variance software, and discusses the most useful software currently available for this specialist application: the MIVQUE method of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) procedure VARCOMP. (Author)

This paper reviews and develops summary measures of associations between multiple sets of variables through the application of canonical correlation analysis. These measures are subsequently applied to a specific research problem: a study of the determinants of housing status. Some of the data analysis situations for which canonical correlation is…