Adaptive quadrature is applied to marginal maximum likelihood estimation for item response models with normal ability distributions. Even in one dimension, significant gains in speed and accuracy of computation may be achieved.

The Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) was introduced to extend the method of maximum likelihood to the multimodel situation. Use of the AIC in factor analysis is interesting when it is viewed as the choice of a Bayesian model; thus, wider applications of AIC are possible. (Author/GDC)

Typically, nonlinear models such as those used in the analysis of covariance structures, are not globally identifiable. Investigations of local identifiability must either yield a mapping onto the entire parameter space, or be confined to points of special interest such as the maximum likelihood point. (Author/JKS)

Evidence for the internal consistency-reliability and construct validity of scores on the 6 dimensions of the Dimensions of Self-Concept Scale was provided through results from 107 registered nurses. Confirmatory maximum likelihood factor analyses indicated that a six-factor oblique model accounted for the greatest proportion of the covariance.…

Examined alternative ways of specifying models in the complier average causal effects (CACE) estimation method when the major interest is in estimating causal effects of treatments for compliers. Explored modeling possibilities of CACE estimation in a maximum likelihood-expectation maximization framework in the presence of covariate information.…

Notes that the article reviewed contributes to the expanding literature on noncompliance by explicating the assumptions involving covariates that can be used to identify maximum likelihood estimates in place of exclusion restrictions. Notes points that require further discussion. (SLD)

The unconditional--simultaneous--maximum likelihood (UML) estimation procedure for the one-parameter logistic model produces biased estimators. The UML method is inconsistent and is not a good alternative to conditional maximum likelihood method, at least with small numbers of items. The minimum Chi-square estimation procedure produces unbiased…

A longitudinal factor analysis model that is entirely exploratory is proposed for use with multiple populations. Factorial collapse, period/practice effects, and an invariant and/or stationary factor pattern are allowed. The model is formulated stochastically and implemented via a stage-wise EM algorithm. (TJH)

Estimation of polychoric correlations is seen as a special case of the theory of parametric inference in contingency tables. the asymptotic covariance matrix of the estimated polychoric correlations is derived for the case when thresholds are estimated from univariate marginals and polychoric correlations are estimated from bivariate marginals for…

Studied whether the standard z-statistic that evaluates whether a factor loading is statistically necessary is correctly applied in such situations and more generally when the variables being analyzed are arbitrarily rescaled. An example illustrates that neither the factor loading estimates nor the standard error estimates possess scale…

Shows that the concept of F-information, a generalization of Fisher information, is a useful took for evaluating the loss of information in conditional maximum likelihood (CML) estimation. With the F-information concept it is possible to investigate the conditions under which there is no loss of information in CML estimation and to quantify a loss…

Used Monte Carlo simulation to examine the performance of four missing data methods in structural equation models: (1)full information maximum likelihood (FIML); (2) listwise deletion; (3) pairwise deletion; and (4) similar response pattern imputation. Results show that FIML estimation is superior across all conditions of the design. (SLD)

A rationale is proposed for approximating the normal distribution with a logistic distribution using a scaling constant based on minimizing the Kullback-Leibler (KL) information, that is, the expected amount of information available in a sample to distinguish between two competing distributions using a likelihood ratio (LR) test, assuming one of…

The authors examine the asymptotic effect of omitting a random coefficient in the multilevel model and derive expressions for the change in (a) the variance components estimator and (b) the estimated variance of the fixed effects estimator. They apply the method of moments, which yields a closed form expression for the omission effect. In…

Disciplinary alternative schools have a reputation as gateways to the juvenile and criminal justice systems. The authors conducted an evaluation of an intervention (Strategies for Success) designed to divert seventh-, eighth-, and ninth-grade alternative school students from this gateway. They used propensity score matching and a multivariate…