It is commonly proposed that educational and psychological assessments consist of a multifaceted procedure that incorporates scores from a variety of tests and resources. Little guidance has been offered regarding the method for selecting a combination of testing instruments used in an evaluation. The problem of test selection is discussed in the…

Bayesian analysis of an m-group model is considered. A convenient stage III prior is proposed, and cases when the posterior distributions take on a simple form are exhibited. The behavior of various point estimators of the linear parameters of the model are explored in a Monte Carlo study. In the simple model considered, the O'Hagan estimator…

The use of Bayesian methodology to assign grades in classroom situations is presented. Assigning a grade is viewed from a criterion, as opposed to norm, referenced perspective. Criteria include mastery of some proportion, determined by the teacher, of the subject matter covered in a course. Different levels of mastery are deemed possible and,…

A research project developed a computer program for analyzing time series quasi-experimental data. The program generates a nonstationary, integrated moving average time series model; it is used to estimate a parameter which indexes the instantaneous change in level of the time series due to a predesignated treatment. The entire method is based on…

Techniques are developed for constructing confidence regions for each of the points in a multidimensional scaling solution. Bayesian credibility regions are discussed, and a technique for displaying these regions is described. (Author/JKS)

Two new methods for constructing a credibility interval (CI)--an interval containing a specified proportion of true validity description--are discussed, from a frequentist perspective. Tolerance intervals, unlike the current method of constructing the CI, have performance characteristics across repeated applications and may be useful in validity…

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)

Latent trait test models for responses to dichotomously scored items are considered from the point of view of parameter estimation using a Bayesian statistical approach and the EM estimation algorithm. An example using the Rasch model is presented. (Author/JKS)

When the experimental units are measured twice, and the response variable is dichotomous, the equality of the two proportions is usally assessed by Mc Nemar's (1947) test. In this paper, Bayesian methods are presented for testing hypotheses regarding the two success probabilities in light of complete and incomplete data. (Author/BW)

The ability estimates of Gibbs sampling and the magnitudes of the posterior standard deviations were investigated. Item parameters of the Q-E intelligence test (J. Fraenkel and N. Wallen, 2000) for 44 examinees were obtained using Gibbs sampling, marginal Bayesian estimation, and BILOG. Two normal priors were used in item parameter estimation.…

This paper focuses on handling measurement error in predictor variables using item response theory (IRT). Measurement error is of great important in assessment of theoretical constructs, such as intelligence or the school climate. Measurement error is modeled by treating the predictors as unobserved latent variables and using the normal ogive…

The purpose of this paper is to show how a Bayesian analysis can be conducted quite simply in the completely random design (including factorial arrangements) by dealing with planned orthogonal comparisons of the treatment means. (Author)

Fisher's two-group discriminant function has been generalized in two different ways for the case of three or more groups, leading to confusion in the literature. The precise functional relation between the two functions is derived, and the interpretation of the two functions is discussed. An example is provided. (Author/CTM)

An analysis of repeated measures designs is proposed that uses an empirical Bayes estimator of the covariance matrix. The proposed analysis behaves like a univariate analysis when sample size is small or sphericity nearly satisfied, but behaves like multivariate analysis when sample size is large or sphericity is strongly violated. (SLD)

Explores posterior analysis in estimating factor score in a confirmatory factor analysis model with polytomous, censored or truncated data, and studies the accuracy of Bayesian estimates through simulation. Results support these Bayesian estimates for statistical inference. (SLD)