A latent class unfolding model is developed for single stimulus preference ratings. One advantage is the possibility of testing the spatial unfolding model against the unconstrained latent class model for rating data. The model is applied to data about party preferences of members of the Dutch parliament. (SLD)

Longitudinal studies of personality traits and intelligence have used an exponential function to relate magnitudes of correlations between occasions to the time interval. This exponential function is shown to be equivalent to a quasisimplex model of a stationary process with constant reliability. (SLD)

A reparameterization is formulated that yields estimates of scale-invariant parameters in recursive path models with latent variables, and (asymptotically) correct standard errors, without the use of constrained optimization. The method is based on the logical structure of the reticular action model. (Author)

Characterizes students' function-concept images that arise in interactive environments based on multirepresentational software. Shows that students (a) often use prototypic functions (linear and quadratic) but do not consider them exclusive; (b) use prototypes as levers to handle a variety of other examples; (c) articulate justifications often…

Applies neural network methods for forecasting 1991-95 per-pupil expenditures in U.S. public elementary and secondary schools. Forecasting models included the National Center for Education Statistics' multivariate regression model and three neural architectures. Regarding prediction accuracy, neural network results were comparable or superior to…

Uses data from the Trial State Assessment of the National Assessment of Educational Progress to describe and illustrate a two-stage statistical model for investigating state-to-state variation in mathematics achievement. Results reveal considerable state-to-state heterogeneity in mathematics proficiency, but most heterogeneity is explainable on…

Describes a goodness-of-fit statistic that considers the imprecision with which ability is estimated and involves constructing item fit tables based on each examinee's posterior distribution of ability, given the likelihood of the response pattern and an assumed marginal ability distribution. Also describes a Monte Carlo resampling procedure to…

Explores race, class, educational level, and parental perceptions as they affect parental participation in schools, analyzing data generated by a 1991 National Commission on Children survey. Discovered clear interactions and correlations among all variables and respondents' participation in various school activities. Suggests a prediction model…

Uses National Longitudinal Study of Youth data to determine how estimated returns to schooling are influenced by career starting date choice. Defines schooling and experience measures for four alternative starting dates. Uses results to estimate standard wage model for samples of white and nonwhite men. Returns to schooling increase dramatically…

In this Monte Carlo study, the effects of four factors on structural equation modeling (SEM) fit indices and parameter estimates were investigated. The 14,400 samples generated were fitted to 3 SEM models with different degrees of model misspecification. Effects of data nonnormality, estimation method, and sample size are noted. (SLD)

Isolates factors influencing choice of Australia as a preferred destination for international students in emerging regional markets. Uses data obtained from a survey of students in Indonesia and Taiwan to estimate a U.S./Australia and rest-of-world/Australia discrete destination-choice model. This model identifies key factors determining country…

Describes four measures of test unreliability that quantify effects of question selection and guessing, both separately and together--three chosen for immediacy and one for greater mathematical elegance. Quantifies their dependence on test length and number of answer options per question. Concludes that many multiple choice tests are unreliable…

The negotiation of meaning presupposes a taken-to-be-shared understanding of a situation. Uses an example to illustrate how negotiation of meaning and task may be linked in ways inappropriate to the learning of modeling and critical reflections. Contains 16 references. (Author/ASK)

Analyzes the results of a Mexican/British project that used the sociocultural approach to investigate ways in which mathematics is used in the practice of school science and the role of spreadsheets as a mathematical modeling tool. Suggests the possibility of enhancing students' capability to shift between a wider range of representations using…

Investigates 6th-grade students' use of equations to describe and represent problem situations prior to formal instruction in algebra. Describes students' preinstructional uses of equations to generalize problem situations and raise questions about the most appropriate curriculum for building on students' intuitive knowledge of algebra. (Contains…