Begins with a discussion of cost and efficiency in education. Presents an empirical model to estimate school-level economies of scale. Applies model to expenditure data set by school from 17 Wyoming school districts. Finds that it costs more per student in a small school than in large schools to achieve similar educational outcomes, thus…

Provides estimates of the 1993-94 returns to education in wage employment in India by gender, age cohort, and location (urban-rural); also evaluates the changes in returns over the period 1983-94 using a large national-level household survey. Finds evidence, for example, of substantial gender and rural-urban differences in returns to schooling.…

Provides example of use of exploratory growth modeling to examine changes over time in functioning of 172 families who underwent treatment in Project Good Start prevention program. Addresses within-family and between-family research questions. Results highlight heterogeneity across families in direction and rate of family function change and its…

This study examined how four commonly used test equating procedures (linear, equipercentile, Rasch Model, and three-parameter) would respond to situations in which the properties or the two tests being equated were different. Data for two tests plus an external anchor test were generated from a three parameter model in which mean test differences…

This is a critical review of the analytical models developed by the U.S. Army to predict training device effectiveness. The Simulation Systems Technical Area of the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences performed the research. Special consideration is given to a family of models known collectively as TRAINVICE. These…

This study introduced a probabilistic model utilizing item response theory (IRT) for dealing with a variety of misconceptions. The model can be used for evaluating the transition behavior of error types, advancement of learning stages, or the stability and persistence of particular misconceptions. Moreover, it apparently can be used for relating…

The purpose of this research study was to assess item response model-test data fit using residuals. First, a comparison of raw and standardized residuals for describing model-test data fit was carried out. Second, hypotheses concerning the relationship between residual sizes and several item characteristics were studied. The analyses with…

A method is proposed for the detection of item bias with respect to observed or unobserved subgroups. The method uses quasi-loglinear models for the incomplete subgroup x test score x item 1 x ... x item k contingency table. If the subgroup membership is unknown, the models are the incomplete-latent-class models of S. J. Haberman (1979). The…

The use of loglinear latent class models to detect item bias was studied. Purposes of the study were to: (1) develop procedures for use in assessing item bias when the grouping variable with respect to which bias occurs is not observed; (2) develop bias detection procedures that relate to a conceptually different assessed trait--a categorical…

A strategy for overcoming problems with the Rasch model's inability to handle missing data involves a pairwise algorithm which manipulates the data matrix to separate out the information needed for the estimation of item difficulty parameters in a test. The method of estimation compares two or three items at a time, separating out the ability…

Data accumulated over two years were analyzed in order to evaluate two components of a teacher education curriculum--performance objectives and self analysis skills. A multi-step procedure was devised and implemented which uses regression to illustrate the feasibility of implementing the procedure for curricular decision making. This procedure…

Three statistical problems related to criterion-referenced testing are investigated: estimation of the likelihood of a false-positive or false-negative decision with a mastery test, estimation of true scores in the Compound Binomial Error Model, and comparison of the examinees to a control. Two methods for estimating the likelihood of…

A decision-theoretic procedure is outlined which provides a framework within which Bayesian statistical methods can be employed with criterion-referenced tests to improve the quality of decision making in objectives based instructional programs. (Author/DEP)

Statistical and econometric techniques of correcting for supervisor bias in models of individual performance appraisal were developed, using a variant of the classical linear regression model. Location bias occurs when individual performance is systematically overestimated or underestimated, while scale bias results when raters either exaggerate…

Using a multidimensional scaling procedure, this study examined the fit of Holland's RIASEC hexagon model to the internal relationships among the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory (SCII) General Occupational Theme scales. SCII intercorrelation matrices for both sexes as reported in the SCII Manual were submitted, separately for each sex, to…