A total of 149 students enrolled in an undergraduate nursing research methods course participated in a study comparing three strategies for using formative evaluation (test feedback throughout a course) to predict students at risk of failure at summative evaluation (the final examination). Students took 12 weekly multiple-choice quizzes, which…

This study compared five density estimation techniques applied to samples from a population of 272,244 examinees' ACT English Usage and Mathematics Usage raw scores. Unsmoothed frequencies, kernel method, negative hypergeometric, four-parameter beta compound binomial, and Cureton-Tukey methods were applied to 500 replications of random samples of…

LISREL-type structural equation modeling is a powerful statistical technique that seems appropriate for social science variables which are complex and difficult to measure. The literature on the specification, estimation, and testing of such models is voluminous. The greatest proportion of this literature, however, focuses on the technical aspects…

Four methods for determining the dimensionality of a set of test items were compared: (1) linear factor analysis; (2) residual analysis; (3) nonlinear factor analysis; and (4) Bejar's method. Five artificial test data sets (for 40 items and 1500 examinees) were generated, consistent with the three-parameter logistic model and the assumption of…

In order to examine the possible effects of violation of assumptions using parametric procedures, this study is an exploratory investigation into the use of parametric versus nonparametric procedures using a multiple case study design. The case study investigation guidelines outlined by Yin served as the methodology. The following univariate…

This paper discusses distribution theory and power computations for four common "tests of combined significance." These tests are calculated using one-sided sample probabilities or p values from independent studies (or hypothesis tests), and provide an overall significance level for the series of results. Noncentral asymptotic sampling…

The purpose of this paper is to present two new alternative methods to the current goodness of fit methodology. With the increase use of computerized adaptive test (CAT), the ability to determine the accuracy of calibrated item parameter estimates is paramount. The first method applies a normalizing transformation to the logistic residuals to make…

This report, based on the results of the fifth biennial survey of humanities doctorate recipients, describes the demographic and employment characteristics of humanities Ph.D.s who received their degrees between January 1942 and June 1984 and were residing in the United States in February 1985. The number of humanities Ph.D.s in 1985 was estimated…

Based on assumptions about fertility, mortality, and net immigration trends, statistical tables depict the future U.S. population by age, sex, and race. Figures are based on the July 1, 1982, population estimates and race definitions and are projected using the cohort-component method with alternative assumptions for future fertility, mortality,…

Recent developments in dichotomous factor analysis based on multidimensional item response models (Bock and Aitkin, 1981; Muthen, 1978) provide an effective method for exploring the dimensionality of questionnaire items. Implemented in the TESTFACT program, this "full information" item factor analysis accounts not only for the pairwise…

A study was designed to monitor the progress of students entering the university for the first time in January 1977. Both undergraduate and graduate students are included. The present report provides information gathered from the students upon entry, including demographic data and statements of student goals and expectations. The results are both…

A job analysis survey was done on 39 entry-level professional classes (e.g. personnel officer, social worker, rehabilitation counselor, research analyst, accountant, computer programmer) to discover statistical factors on which the classes could be scored and to cluster the classes on the basis of these factor scores. A job analysis questionnaire…

The increase in the 1970's state aid to independent colleges and the doubling of interest groups representing independent colleges in the states (39 state associations by 1978) are examined, and a demonstrable relationship is found between these facts. It is argued that the chief factor motivating states to act on behalf of independent colleges is…

This study is the first of five studies assembled by the budget committee of the Iowa general assembly to provide information regarding the financing of education by state government. It analyzes general appropriations in the state of Iowa between 1960-76 and compares Iowa's appropriations with those of other states. The results indicate increased…

Multiple matrix sampling of three subscales of the California Psychological Inventory was used to investigate the effects of four variables on error estimates of the mean (EEM) and variance (EEV). The four variables were examinee population size (600, 450, 300, 150, 100, and 75); number of subtests, (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7), hence the number of…