An approximation formula for the standard error of measurement was recently proposed by Garvin. The properties of this approximation to the standard error of measurement are described in this paper and illustrated with hypothetical data. It is concluded that the approximation is a systematic overestimate of the standard error of measurement…

Some procedures for estimating internal consistency reliability may be superior mathematically to the more commonly used methods such as Coefficient Alpha. One problem is computational difficulty; the other is the possibility of overestimation due to capitalization on chance. (Author/CTM)

Many researchers, including Buriel (EJ 187 987), incorrectly compared the results in each study with null hypotheses of zero differences between means or zero population correlations. Instead, a test of difference between the mean differences in the two samples or the direct comparison of the two sample correlations is required. (Author/CP)

Studies aggressive automated word removal in text categorization in large databases based on corpus statistics to reduce the noise in free texts and to enhance the computational efficiency of categorization. Topics include stop word identification, categorization methods for comparison, tests on four document collections, and evaluation…

This note provides a scheme that can overcome difficulties in calculating statistical quantities using certain formulae because of errors in the means. Specifically the diversions and discrepancies arising from the results obtained from three groups of widely used formulae for computing the estimated regression coefficients, the gradient b and the…

A simple, usefully accurate approximation of the standard error of measurement is proposed for use by classroom teachers. An empirical comparison with Lord's approximation indicated that, though not as easy to calculate as Lord's, this approximation is more practical because it is useful at any point in the score distribution. (BW)

The normalized mean is developed and discussed as a descriptive measure of central location. The advantages of the normalized mean over the arithmetic mean, median, and trimmed mean are discussed. (Author)

The problem of objectively comparing two independently determined partitions of N objects or variables is discussed. A similarity measure based on the simple matching coefficient is defined and related to previously suggested measures. (Author/JKS)

Formulas are derived for computing the chi-square statistic from proportions or percentages, both for tests of goodness of fit and association. Advantages of the new formulas are given, as are some examples. (Author/MH)

Discusses automated information retrieval, focusing on statistical patterns expected of a pair of terms that are semantically related to each other, guided by text generation conceptualization. Examines how the tendency of a content bearing term to clump, as quantified by previously developed measures of term clumping, is influenced by the…

Proposes a plotting position formula for the Pearson type III distribution in the analysis of historical flood information. Presents results of a numerical example using actual flood data to confirm the appropriateness of the plotting formula. (24 references) (MDH)

Introduces a new iteration model for the calculation of co-word maps. Co-word analysis is an objective quantitative method for analyzing and integrating survey information about research trends and structures that avoids problems using statistical methods to produce mappings of reduced information. (PEN)

Studies the relation between journal median citation age and the number of articles in the journal. Discusses statistical explanations, including graphs of clouds of points and the Central Limit Theorem; and considers explanations of regularities in informetrics, based on statistical, probabilistic, or informetric results. (Author/LRW)

Multidimensional unfolding methods suffer from the degeneracy problem in almost all circumstances. Most degeneracies are easily recognized: the solutions are perfect but trivial, characterized by approximately equal distances between points from different sets. A definition of an absolutely degenerate solution is proposed, which makes clear that…

Bounds are established for log cross-product ratios (log odds ratios) involving pairs of items for item response models. First, expressions for bounds on log cross-product ratios are provided for unidimensional item response models in general. Then, explicit bounds are obtained for the Rasch model and the two-parameter logistic (2PL) model.…