A modification index is presented to aid in reformulating hypothetical models rejected after analysis of empirical data. This index is an improvement over the one in the LISREL V computer program in that it takes into account changes in all parameters of the model when one parameter is freed. (SLD)

For anchor test equating, 3 linear observed score methods are derived for populations differing in ability. Each version requires that the correlations of the tests with the selection variable be known. Five sets of assumptions are made for each model--yielding 15 methods--which are then related to existing methods. (SLD)

Examines mathematical models of style analysis, focusing on the pattern in which literary characteristics occur. Describes an autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA) for predicting sentence length in different works by the same author and comparable works by different authors. This technique is valuable in characterizing stylistic…

Reviews three citation-based measures for the study of journal status--influence weight, importance index, and measure of standing--to provide more convenient access to their computation. A subset of nine library and information science journals is used to illustrate simple computational procedures using the SAS statistical software package. (18…

Discusses the theory of microeconomic efficiency measurement, including frontier efficiency-measurement techniques; reviews the research measuring inefficiency in education; discusses the determinants of educational efficiency; includes table listing author, methodology, inputs and output, analytical techniques, and main findings for 28 studies of…

A search for patterns in grade retention rates across grades 1-12 to construct simulation research models is described in this paper. Aggregate data from Shepard and Smith (1989) on grade retention rates from 12 American states for the year 1979-80 and from 11 states for 1985-86 were examined for across-grade patterns, supplemented by Dade County…

The logit methodology provides a unique way of examining input-output relationships for social systems where the principal output of the analysis is a probability of some action or state. (Author)

The reasons for recent endeavors to evaluate item bias are discussed, and item bias is defined. Some of the literature regarding the most promising methods of detecting item bias is reviewed. Three classes of methods for detecting item bias are discussed using concrete examples and illustrations. These methods are: (1) latent trait; (2)…

Simultaneous estimation of many parameters can often be improved, sometimes dramatically so, if it is reasonable to consider one or more subsets of parameters as exchangeable members of corresponding populations. While each observation may provide limited information about the parameters it is modeled directly in terms of, it also contributes…

Significant to a latent trait or item response theory analysis of a mental test is the determination of exactly what is being quantified. The following are practical problems to be considered in the formulation of a good theory: (1) deciding whether two tests measure the same trait or traits; (2) analyzing the relative contributions of a pair of…

Direct and indirect effects in decomposed zero-order correlations among variables in causal models are considered. Under certain circumstances, the components of the decompositions could be interpreted as direct, indirect, and spurious causal effects, plus a component called joint associations. The sum of the direct and indirect effects is the…

Several special cases of the general Rasch model, varying in complexity, were investigated to determine whether they could successfully model realistic multidimensional item response data. Whether the parameters of the model could be readily interpreted was also investigated. The models investigated included: (1) the vector model; (2) the product…

Much previously published material for estimating the reliability of classification has been based on the assumption that a test consists of a known number of equally weighted items. The test score is the number of those items answered correctly. These methods cannot be used with classifications based on weighted composite scores, especially if…

Identification and explication of construct relationships, under conditions of extraneous variable control in multiple regression and its multivariate analog, canonical analysis, were studied. Several data models were generated as a function of the interaction of partial correlation and orthogonal linear transformations on nursing examination…

The interaction effects among organizational commitment, perceived personal efficacy, and expectations with respect to the impact of collective bargaining are explored in relation to their effect on the degree of faculty support for collective bargaining. Data for the analysis was derived from approximately 1,450 full-time faculty in California…