Presents an experiment for teachers to determine whether rote or reason has greater influence upon the way students think about computation. Provides some observations and concerns, and discusses needed changes in thinking and practice for teaching mathematics. (ASK)

The minimum chi-square method for computing equating coefficients for tests with dichotomously scored items was extended to the case of F. Samejima's graded response model. When compared with the test response function method, the minimum chi-square method was less demanding computationally and yielded similar equating coefficients. (SLD)

Discusses the trend toward ubiquitous computing and the challenge to enhance the behavior of any application by informing it of the context of its use. Defines context related to the interaction between humans, applications, and the surrounding environment; and presents a conceptual framework and a toolkit for supporting the rapid prototyping of…

Derived simplified equations to compute the standard error of the frequency estimation method for equating score distributions that are continuized using a uniform or Gaussian kernel function. Results from two empirical studies indicate that these equations work reasonably well for moderate size samples. (SLD)

Studied the effect of including nonindependent correlations in the meta-analysis method of J. Hunter and F. Schmidt on the estimated population standard deviation. Evaluation indicates that the Hunter and Schmidt method will underestimate the true population standard deviation. Developed new methods to correct for this and illustrated the methods…

Illustrates the computation of confidence intervals for effect sizes for some analysis of variance applications and shows how the use of intervals involving noncentral distributions is made practical by new software. (SLD)

Four experiments examined whether studying a single Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) list produces semantic priming for nonstudied critical items (CIs) and semantic + repetition priming for studied associates. After 30 s of mental arithmetic that followed the study of a DRM list, priming was assessed in a lexical decision task when the nonwords were…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the robustness of estimated growth curve models when there is stationary autocorrelation among manifest variable errors. The results suggest that when, in practice, growth curve models are fitted to longitudinal data, alternative rival hypotheses to consider would include growth models that also specify…

Three major techniques are employed to calculate [pi]. Namely, (i) the perimeter of polygons inscribed or circumscribed in a circle, (ii) calculus based methods using integral representations of inverse trigonometric functions, and (iii) modular identities derived from the transformation theory of elliptic integrals. This note presents a…

A split-sample replication criterion originally proposed by J. E. Overall and K. N. Magee (1992) as a stopping rule for hierarchical cluster analysis is applied to multiple data sets generated by sampling with replacement from an original simulated primary data set. An investigation of the validity of this bootstrap procedure was undertaken using…

This article considers a structured latent curve model for multiple repeated measures. In a structured latent curve model, a smooth nonlinear function characterizes the mean response. A first-order Taylor polynomial taken with regard to the mean function defines elements of a restricted factor matrix that may include parameters that enter…

A method for estimation of reliability for multiple-component measuring instruments with clustered data is outlined. The approach is applicable with hierarchical designs where individuals are nested within higher order units and exhibit possibly related performance on components of a scale of interest. The procedure is developed within the…

A simplified mathematical model for the calculation of imprecision associated with the construction of a calibration line is presented. The model also aims at a discussion on variables that really affect it and to integrate the resulting imprecision with that caused by the other steps in the analytical method in order to calculate a real…

Counting can be done using a linear, exponential method or by using a technique incorporating a recursive process which gives a visual analysis of population data. Population estimates are based on assumptions about change brought about by immigration, emigration, deaths and births.

The greatest benefit of including leap year in the calculation is not to increase precision, but to show students that a problem can be solved without such presumption. A birthday problem is analyzed showing that calculating a leap-year birthday probability is not a frivolous computation.