A technique of multidimensional scaling was applied to student perceptions of similarities in difficulty of twenty mechanics concepts presented in random pairwise combinations. Two distinct dimensions, one relating to motion and the other to the vector nature of some of the concepts, appeared in three separate groups, when either four or five…

A confirmatory factor analysis provided support for the result that Holland's Self-Directed Search measures six factors: realistic, investigative, artistic, social-enterprising, conventional, and a sixth general interest factor. Generally, the psychological relationship among types confirms the hexagon model proposed by Holland and others.…

The structure of the six vocational interests measured by the Holland Vocational Preference Inventory was identified. Results of two separate analyses showed that a general factor accounted for much of the total variance. Remaining bipolar factors supported previous classifications of interests. (Author/GK)

Educational changes included: (1) expansion of preschool facilities; (2) increased involvement of students in secondary education and in tertiary education; and (3) marked fluctuation in both the economic status of teachers and financial involvement of the aggregate of six state governments in education. (RL)

Examined the factor structure and subscale reliabilities of an eight-dimensional measure of fear of death (the Multidimensional Fear of Death Scale) using a New Zealand sample. Comparison with the results of a United States study showed that both the subscale reliabilities and the factor structure were almost perfectly reproduced. (Author)

Subjected the standardization data for the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) and the original Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) to principal-factor analysis. A two-factor solution was adopted for each scale. The stability of the two factors, Verbal Comprehension and Perceptual Organization, was high both within and between…

Describes two broad-band factor scales of marital distress constructed to supplement existing profile scales of the Marital Satisfaction Inventory. The two new scales, labeled Disaffection and Disharmony, both discriminated between normative and clinical samples. Distinct distributions support the concept of two separate, interactive components of…

Mathematical and statistical relationships between factor analysis and smallest space analysis are discussed. As spatial analysis of correlation matrices, factor analysis is a special case of smallest space analysis. The two differ in six ways: Shepard diagram, dimensionality, correction for communality, similarity coefficients, regions versus…

Issues related to the decision of the number of factors to retain in factor analyses are identified. Three widely used decision rules--the Kaiser-Guttman (eigenvalue greater than one), scree, and likelihood ratio tests--are investigated using simulated data. Recommendations for use are made. (Author/JKS)

The performance of four rules for determining the number of components (factors) to retain (Kaiser's eigenvalue greater than one, Cattell's scree, Bartlett's test, and Velicer's Map) was investigated across four systematically varied factors (sample size, number of variables, number of components, and component saturation). (Author/JKS)

Investigated relationships between empirically determined dimensions of problem behaviors and profile scales of the Personality Inventory for Children. Correlation matrices allowed identification of scale to correlates and their variation by age or sex and facilitated estimates of generalizability of the data. Results provided evidence of scale…

To assess the stability of the factor structure of the Instructional Improvement Questionnaire (IIQ), factor analyses were run for 1973, 1974, and 1975 results, partialling out three variables: expected grade, percent taking the course as an elective, and student's year. The factors were stable over the three years. (Author/BW)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the structure of motor proficiency in a sample of 765 children between the ages of 4 1/2 to 14 1/2 years. The study was conducted as one aspect of the standardization of a motor proficiency scale, the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency. (Author/SJL)

The incremental validity of factor scores from the Wechlser Intelligence Scale for Children-III (WISC-III) in predicting scores on the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT) was studied in 283 nonreferred children and 636 referred for evaluation. The Full Scale IQ of the WISC-III was the best predictor of WIAT achievement. (SLD)