Considers a class of estimation procedures for the factor model. The procedures are shown to yield estimates possessing the same asymptotic sampling properties as those from estimation by maximum likelihood or generalized last squares, both special members of the class. General expressions for the derivatives needed for Newton-Raphson…

Results of an Australian study of the Biggs Study Process Questionnaire (SPQ) are presented. The purposes of the research were to: (1) re-examine the SPQ's internal consistency; (2) explore dimensionality of the SPQ scales; and (3) investigate validity of Bigg's model of the study process complex through factor analysis. (Author/GK)

A new parametric maximum likelihood procedure is proposed for estimating ultrametric trees for the analysis of conditional rank order proximity data. Technical aspects of the model and the estimation algorithm are discussed, and Monte Carlo results illustrate its application. A consumer psychology application is also examined. (SLD)

Discusses a full-information maximum likelihood method for fitting a multidimensional latent variable model to a set of ordinal observed variables. Also discusses estimating the model, scoring persons on the latent dimensions, and goodness of fit. Applies the method to a data set of attitudes of 392 respondents toward technology. (SLD)

Practical problems with multilevel techniques are discussed. These problems relate to terminology, computer programs employing different algorithms, and interpretations of the coefficients in either one or two steps. The usefulness of hierarchical linear models (HLMs) in common situations in educational research is explored. While elegant, HLMs…

Latent variable models exist with continuous, categorical, or both types of latent variables. The role of latent variables is to account for systematic patterns in the observed responses. This article has two goals: (a) to establish whether, based on observed responses, it can be decided that an underlying latent variable is continuous or…

An item response model is proposed for the analysis of continuous response formats in an item response theory (IRT) framework. With such formats, respondents are asked to report their response as a mark on a fixed-length graphical segment whose ends are labeled with extreme responses. An interpolation process is proposed as the response mechanism…

Through use of confirmatory maximum likelihood factor analysis in conjunction with the LISREL V computer program, an evaluation was made of the validity of higher-order ability constructs in structure-of-intellect tests all containing semantic content and operations of cognition or evaluation. (Author/DWH)

Confirmatory maximum likelihood factor analysis determined how accurately each of several hypothesized combinations of first-order and higher-order factors reflecting creativity in the social intelligence of 192 high school students described the covariation in selected submatrixes from the total correlation matrix originally analyzed. Results…

A unidimensional model for responses to statements that have an unfolding structure was constructed from the cumulative Rasch model for ordered response categories. A joint maximum likelihood estimation procedure was investigated. Analyses of data from a small simulation and a real data set show that the model is readily applicable. (SLD)

Missing data are a common practical problem for longitudinal designs. Time-series analysis is a longitudinal method that involves a large number of observations on a single unit. Four different missing-data methods (deletion, mean substitution, mean of adjacent observations, and maximum likelihood estimation) were evaluated. Computer-generated…

Confirmatory maximum likelihood estimation of measurement models was used to evaluate the construct generality of self-report measures of anxiety across male and female samples. These measures included Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Taylor's Manifest Anxiety Scale, and two forms of Endler, Hunt and Rosenstein's S-R Inventory of…

A model for understanding reading, containing three components (orthographic/phonological, morphological, and sentence and paragraph comprehension) was tested with 298 preadolescent readers. Maximum likelihood analyses showed that the model provides a good fit for the grade 4 data, a reasonable fit for grade 5, but was less unambiguous for grade…

For comparing nested covariance structure models, the standard procedure is the likelihood ratio test of the difference in fit, where the null hypothesis is that the models fit identically in the population. A procedure for determining statistical power of this test is presented where effect size is based on a specified difference in overall fit…

Love is among the most fundamental aspects of the experience of being human, but measures of perceptions of the experience of love have only recently been explored. One of the most popular measures was developed by C. Hendrick and S. Hendrick. Most previous studies of the measure have used exploratory factor analysis and orthogonal factor…