Statistical significance and practical significance can be considered jointly through the use of non-nil null hypotheses that are based on values deemed to be practically significant. When examining differences between the means of two groups, researchers can use a randomization test or an independent t test. The issue addressed in this paper is…

This study focused on the issue of measurement reliability and its attenuation on correlation between two composites and two seemingly different approaches for correcting the attenuation. As expected, Monte Carlo simulation results show that correlation coefficients uncorrected for measurement error are systematically biased downward. For the data…

A Monte Carlo study is reported that shows the comparative performance of alternative approaches under deviations from their respective assumptions in the case of structural equation models with latent variables with attention restricted to point estimates of model parameters. The conditional polychoric correlations method is shown most robust…

The distinction between Type 1 and Type 12 sampling in connection with measurement data is discussed, and a method is presented for simulating data arising from Type 12 sampling. A Monte Carlo study is described that shows conditions under which precise confidence level control under Type 12 sampling is maintained. (SLD)

Monte Carlo study results show that recently proposed multiple comparison procedures (MCPs) that are not intended to control the familywise error rate had consistently larger true model rates than did familywise error controlling MCPs. (SLD)

Used Monte Carlo methods to examine the Type I error rates for randomization tests applied to single-case data arising from ABAB designs involving random, systematic, or response-guided assignment of interventions. Discusses conditions under which Type I error rate is controlled or is not. (SLD)

Compared the quality of item parameter estimates for marginal maximum likelihood (MML) and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) with the nominal response model using simulation. The quality of item parameter recovery was nearly identical for MML and MCMC, and both methods tended to produce good estimates. (SLD)

Conducted a Monte Carlo study to compare various approaches to detecting differential item functioning (DIF) under a conceptualization of DIF that recognizes that observed data are a mixture of data from multiple latent populations or classes. Demonstrated the usefulness of the approach. (SLD)

Studied four different approaches for handling missing data for their capacity to mitigate against the effect of omitted responses on person location estimation. Results from a Monte Carlo study show that the hot-decking procedure performed best of the methods examined. (SLD)

Examines the ways in which level-1 outliers can impact the estimation of fixed effects and random effects in hierarchical models (HMs). Also outlines and illustrates the use of Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithms for conducting sensitivity analyses under "t" level-1 assumptions, including algorithms for settings in which the degrees of…

Tested empirically the applicability of a method developed by S. Mattson for generating data on latent variables with controlled skewness and kurtosis of the observed variables. Monte Carlo simulation results suggest that Mattson's method appears to be a good approach to generate data with defined levels of skewness and kurtosis. (SLD)

This article examines using moment-based statistics to screen variables that are then used in clustering. A Monte Carlo study found that screening variables was a viable alternative to both ultrametric weighting and forward selection of variables. Advantages and disadvantages of screening are discussed. (SLD)

Investigated the effects of types and prevalence of response patterns that might be provided by nonattending respondents on Cronbach's alpha (L. Cronbach, 1970) using three simulated data sets. Effects were greater as a function of increased prevalence in the respondent group, but as few as 5% of some types of nonattending patterns had inflating…

Examined the optimal value of "k" for promax factor rotations through a Monte Carlo study involving 10,080 factor analyses. Results show that in factor-analytic studies using promax, the value of "k" may be set appropriately at 2, 3, or 4. (Author/SLD)

Examined the performance of DIMTEST, through simulation, for unidimensional and two-dimensional data that exhibited ceiling effects generated through changes in location and scale of the theta distribution. Results indicate that the power of DIMTEST is reduced as the location shifts upward and the scale shifts downward. Considers the selection…