We discuss analysis of 5-grade Likert type data in the two-sample case. Analysis using two-sample "t" tests, nonparametric Wilcoxon tests, and ordinal regression methods, are compared using simulated data based on an ordinal regression paradigm. One thousand pairs of samples of size "n"=10 and "n"=30 were generated,…

Over the past ten years, propensity score methods have made an important contribution to improving generalizations from studies that do not select samples randomly from a population of inference. However, these methods require assumptions and recent work has considered the role of bounding approaches that provide a range of treatment impact…

Population invariance is a desirable property of test equating which might not hold when significant changes occur in the test population, such as those brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. This research aims to investigate whether equating functions are reasonably invariant when the test population is impacted by the pandemic. Based on…

The authors discuss the use of surveys for collecting data from a population sample and emphasise the importance of being careful with the language of data collection. [For "The Data Files 5: Graphs for Exploring Relationships," see EJ1355504.]

Optimal design of multisite randomized trials leverages sampling costs to optimize sampling ratios and ultimately identify more efficient and powerful designs. Past implementations of the optimal design framework have assumed that costs of sampling units are equal across treatment conditions. In this study, we developed a more flexible optimal…

Optimal sampling frameworks attempt to identify the most efficient sampling plans to achieve an adequate statistical power. Although such calculations are theoretical in nature, they are critical to the judicious and wise use of funding because they serve as important starting points that guide practical discussions around sampling tradeoffs and…

The popularity of generative AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, has sparked numerous studies investigating their use in educational contexts. However, it is important to note that chatbots are not a new phenomenon; researchers have explored conversational agents across diverse fields for decades. Conversational agents engage users in natural language…

Despite the sensitivity of fit indices to various model and data characteristics in structural equation modeling, these fit indices are used in a rigid binary fashion as a mere rule of thumb threshold value in a search for model adequacy. Here, we address the behavior and interpretation of the popular Comparative Fit Index (CFI) by stressing that…

The property of item parameter invariance in item response theory (IRT) plays a pivotal role in the applications of IRT such as test equating. The scope of parameter invariance when using estimates from finite biased samples in the applications of IRT does not appear to be clearly documented in the IRT literature. This article provides information…

Previous researchers have proposed the a priori procedure, whereby the researcher specifies, prior to data collection, how closely she wishes the sample means to approach corresponding population means, and the degree of confidence of meeting the specification. However, an important limitation of previous research is that researchers sometimes are…

In the context of Artificial Intelligence, Generative Adversarial Nets (GANs) allow the creation and reproduction of artificial data from real datasets. The aims of this work are to seek to verify the equivalence of synthetic data with real data and to verify the possibilities of GAN in educational research. The research methodology begins with…

Sample size determination in multilevel randomized trials (MRTs) and multilevel regression discontinuity designs (MRDDs) can be complicated due to multilevel structure, monetary restrictions, differing marginal costs per treatment and control units, and range restrictions in sample size at one or more levels. These issues have sparked a set of…

In assembling testlets (i.e., test forms) with a pool of new and used item blocks, test security is one of the main issues of concern. Strict constraints are often imposed on repeated usage of the same item blocks. Nevertheless, for an assessment administering multiple testlets, a goal is to select as large a sample of testlets as possible. In…

Patterns of articles published in "Counselor Education and Supervision" from 2000 to 2019 were reviewed, and analyses sought to identify trends over time in author characteristics (e.g., gender, work setting, leading individual contributors and universities) and article characteristics (e.g., type, topic, research design, sample size,…

We examine the accuracy of p values obtained using the asymptotic mean and variance (MV) correction to the distribution of the sample standardized root mean squared residual (SRMR) proposed by Maydeu-Olivares to assess the exact fit of SEM models. In a simulation study, we found that under normality, the MV-corrected SRMR statistic provides…