An alternative to null hypothesis significance testing is presented and discussed. This approach, referred to as observation-oriented modeling, is centered on model building in an effort to explicate the structures and processes believed to generate a set of observations. In terms of analysis, this novel approach complements traditional methods…

Using a panel data set of scientists in the US, we examine the hypothesis that workers in jobs poorly matched to their education are more likely to retire. In pooled estimates, we confirm that the mismatched are more likely to retire and that among retirees, the mismatched retire at younger ages. Hazard function estimates also support the…

Every-grade, every-year testing plays a prominent part in U.S. education policy and research, but the rise of standardized testing has been met with frustration and opposition. In response, policymakers have proposed legislation designed to curb the amount of standardized testing. There is little empirical evidence, however, about the potential…

This paper examines many roles that are assigned to the professional school counselor. It examines those roles, their appropriateness and origin as related to the school counselor. It identifies appropriate professional school counselor roles and then suggest strategies for advocating for these roles. It also examines specific the counselor's role…

Within polytomous items, differential item functioning (DIF) can take on various forms due to the number of response categories. The lack of invariance at this level is referred to as differential step functioning (DSF). The most common DSF methods in the literature are the adjacent category log odds ratio (AC-LOR) estimator and cumulative…

It is well known that students of inferential statistics find the hypothetical, probabilistic reasoning used in hypothesis tests difficult to understand. Consequently, they will also have difficulties in understanding "p"-values. It is not unusual for these students to hold misconceptions about "p"-values that are difficult to…

In linear regression models estimated by ordinary least squares, it is often desirable to use hypothesis tests and confidence intervals that remain valid in the presence of heteroskedastic errors. Wald tests based on heteroskedasticity-consistent covariance matrix estimators (HCCMEs, also known as sandwich estimators or simply "robust"…

There is robust evidence that reading aloud with young children can help them learn new vocabulary. Building upon prior research, this study tested the effects of "both" book text features "and" readers' spontaneous extra-textual word-highlighting strategies on 3- to 4-year-olds' vocabulary retention from repeated read alouds…

This study aimed to examine students' work in online assessments to gain more understanding for designing continuous assessments in a blended learning environment for prospective primary school teachers. The study took place during emergency remote teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Course work for prospective primary school teachers in the…

To what extent does emotional reactivity differ when bilinguals process input in their native (L1) or non-native language (L2)? Does the L1 elicit a significantly stronger emotional arousal or can salient second language experience generate comparably strong associations between emotions and the L2? These questions were addressed through two…

Bed bugs are on the rise and are increasingly perceived as harmful parasites. Because individuals affected by bed bugs often feel disgust and shame and are stigmatized, bed bugs are an important public health and environmental justice concern and therefore a health education issue as well. In this quasi-experimental study, we examine how different…

The present study investigated the speaking module of TOEFL iBT with an emphasis on the dichotomy of independent and integrated tasks. The potential differences between the two speaking conditions were intended to be explored based on the oral performance elicited from a group of Iranian test takers. To collect the required data, a simulated…

Background: The healthcare professionals are in a vital position in providing apt and reliable support to HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis patients. However, there is dire need to carefully examine cross-disciplinary approaches to combat the burden of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in sub-Saharan African countries. In resolving this gap, e-learning a…

Assessment is and has been a deliberate and essential piece of education. However, with the recent emergence and popularity of online education, faculty members have to find new ways to engage online learners with formative assessments. While much of the online learning environment can be self-guided, faculty interventions can make the content…

Recent decades have brought growing interest in understanding and measuring psychological well-being. Although multiple measures of well-being exist, most were developed with Western populations. The current study tested the factor structure of a Chinese translation of the engagement, perseverance, optimism, connectedness and happiness (EPOCH)…