The aim of this paper is to present a shortened version of the SIS (support intensity scale) obtained by the application of mathematical models and instruments, adopting special algorithms based on the most recent developments in artificial adaptive systems. All the variables of SIS applied to 1,052 subjects with ID (intellectual disabilities)…

AN EMPIRICAL STUDY WAS MADE OF THE ERROR FACTORS IN MULTIDIMENSIONAL SCALING (MDS) TO REFINE THE USE OF MDS FOR MORE EXPERT MANIPULATION OF SCALES USED IN EDUCATIONAL MEASUREMENT. THE PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH WAS TO GENERATE TABLES OF THE SAMPLING DISTRIBUTIONS THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR DISCRIMINATING BETWEEN ERROR AND NONERROR MDS DIMENSIONS. THE…

Developing a student testing mathematical model for instructional management purposes necessitates clear structuring of the curriculum materials involved, whether designated in the domain of content or the dimension of concepts or skills. Such structuring of a course written in performance objectives is presented and noted to be helpful in making…

The research on covariance structure analysis is reviewed, and various restrictions on the parameter matrices of the general model are delineated. Models employing two particular restrictions (where the matrix of weights is completely specified and is either scaled--by some unknown but estimable matrix of scaling weights--or unscaled) are…

A procedure for the sequential optimization of the calibration of an item bank is given. The procedure is based on an empirical Bayes approach to a reformulation of the Rasch model as a model for paired comparisons between the difficulties of test items in which ties are allowed to occur. First, it is indicated how a paired-comparisons design…

A least-squares solution for the method of paired comparisons is given. The approach provokes a theorem regarding the amount of data necessary and sufficient for a solution to be obtained. A measure of the internal consistency of the least-squares fit is developed. (Author/CTM)

This paper proposes a general model for free-response data collected for measuring a specified unidimensional psychological process; systematizes situations which vary with respect to the scoring level of items; and finds out general conditions for the operating characteristic of an item response category to provide a unique maximum likelihood…

A set procedure developed in this study is useful in determining sample size, based on specification of linear contrasts involving certain formula treatments. (Author/DEP)

A WORKING MODEL CAPABLE OF RANKING INDIVIDUALS IN A RANDOM SAMPLE FROM A MULTIVARIATE POPULATION BY SOME CRITERION OF INTEREST WAS DEVELOPED. THE MULTIPLE CORRELATION COEFFICIENT OF RANKS WITH MEASURED VARIATES AS A STATISTIC IN TESTING WHETHER RANKS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH MEASUREMENTS WAS EMPLOYED AND DUBBED "QUASI-RANK MULTIPLE CORRELATION…

Checking of parametric assumptions is an often ignored step in the inferential process. A misconception regarding symmetry (one aspect of "robustness") is prevalent: that in nonsymmetric distributions the mean and median are always non-coincidental. It is to this fallacious point that the discussion is directed. A generally accepted index of…

Two iterative procedures for constructing Rasch scales are presented. A log-likelihood ratio test based on a quasi-loglinear formulation of the Rasch model is given by which one item at a time can be deleted from or added to an initial item set. In the so-called "top-down" algorithm, items are stepwise deleted from a relatively large…

It is shown that empirical mental test P - P plots are approximately equal to theoretical item-item curves, at least for long tests administered to many people. This result is important because it leads to (1) a distribution free method for estimating points on item-item curves; (2) a general method for defining estimates of item parameters; and…

This special issues describes multidimensional scaling (MDS), with emphasis on proximity and preference models. An introduction and six papers review statistical developments in MDS study design and scrutinize MDS research in four areas of application (consumer, social, cognitive, and vocational psychology). (SLD)

Maximum likelihood factor analysis provides an effective method for estimation of factor matrices and a useful test statistic in the likelihood ratio for rejection of overly simple factor models. A reliability coefficient is proposed for analysis of factor solution. (Author/RK)

A formal analysis is presented of the effects of item deletion on equating/scaling functions and reported score distributions. The phrase "item deletion" refers to the process of changing the original key of a flawed item to either all options correct, including omits, or to no options correct, i.e., not scoring the flawed item. There…