Presents a construction method for all factors that satisfy the assumptions of the model for factor analysis, including partially determined factors where certain error variances are zero. Illustrates that variable elimination can have a large effect on the seriousness of factor indeterminacy. (SLD)

This article provides a framework for reporting internal consistency reliability in counseling research and other related social science fields, including guidelines relative to score reliability coefficients and associated confidence intervals for both full sample and subgroups. Follow-up techniques for investigating low score reliability are…

Established a new criterion for the identification of recursive linear models in which some errors are correlated. Shows that identification is assured as long as error correlation does not exist between a cause and its direct effect; no restrictions are imposed on errors associated with indirect causes. (SLD)

Sees soft data, measures having substantial intrasubject variability due to errors of measurement or response inconsistency, as important measures of response in randomized clinical trials. Shows that using intensive design and slope of response on time as outcome measure maximizes sample retention and decreases within-group variability, thus…

Proposes true score models that can account for correlated errors and their effect on coefficient alpha. These models allow random measurement errors on earlier items to affect directly or indirectly the scores on later items. Conditions under which coefficient alpha may yield spuriously high estimates or reliability are discussed. (SLD)

Two tests for the jackknife autocorrelation estimator r(Q2) are evaluated. It is shown that a test based on the conventional approach for estimating the standard error of a jackknife estimator leads to unacceptable Type I error. An alternative approach is proposed that leads to a more satisfactory test when n>20. (Author/SLD)

Proposes a revised index of interrater agreement for multi-item ratings of a single target. This index is an inverse linear function of the ratio of the average obtained variance to the variance of the uniformly distributed random error. Discusses the importance of sample size for the index. (SLD)

Explains why, when one is using a bootstrapping approach for generating empirical standard errors for parameters of interest, the researchers must choose to fix an indicator path rather than the latent variable variance for the empirical standard errors to be generated properly. (SLD)

It is known that nonnormality, a heteroscedastic error term, or a nonlinear association can create serious practical problems when using the conventional analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) method. This article describes a simple ANCOVA method that allows heteroscedasticity, nonnormality, nonlinearity, and multiple covariates. When standard…

The use of value-added models in education research has expanded rapidly. These models allow researchers to explore how a wide variety of policies and measured school inputs affect the academic performance of students. An important question is whether such effects are sufficiently large to achieve various policy goals. Judging whether a change in…

This article introduces a bootstrap generalization to the Modified Parallel Analysis (MPA) method of test dimensionality assessment using factor analysis. This methodology, based on the use of Marginal Maximum Likelihood nonlinear factor analysis, provides for the calculation of a test statistic based on a parametric bootstrap using the MPA…

A Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method and a bootstrap method were compared in the estimation of standard errors of item response theory (IRT) true score equating. Three test form relationships were examined: parallel, tau-equivalent, and congeneric. Data were simulated based on Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary tests of the Iowa Tests of…

Despite numerous empirical studies, there is surprisingly little agreement about whether the Social Security earnings test affects male labor supply. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the labor supply effects of the earnings test using longitudinal administrative earnings data and more commonly used survey data. We find that…

Although experiments are viewed as the gold standard for evaluation, some of their benefits may be lost when, as is common, outcomes are not defined for some sample members. In evaluations of marriage interventions, for example, a key outcome--relationship quality--is undefined when a couple splits up. This article shows how treatment-control…

This report provides national data on the availability and use of educational technology in public elementary and secondary schools during fall 2008. The data are the results of a national school-level survey that is one of a set that includes district, school, and teacher surveys on educational technology. Every year between 1994 and 2005 (with…