Four papers consider competition, new technology and economics of local telephone companies in a deregulated environment: (1) "An Engineering and Policy Analysis of Fiber Introduction into the Residential Subscriber Loop" (Marvin Sirbu, Frank Ferrante, and David Reed); (2) "Competition in the Local Loop: Pricing Carrier Access"…

A confirmatory factor analysis was used to determine the respective viability of factor structure models for the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) standardization data. The traditional verbal-performance split was compared to an alternative model proposed by Gutkin, Reynolds and Galvin. The confirmatory analysis indicated that the…

This study attempted to determine if there was a change in job attitude among employees of a state institution for the developmentally disabled after a move to new, superior facilities. An attitude scale was constructed and administered in December 1982, prior to the move. A second testing occurred two months later, after Experimental Group I had…

This report is about the problem of making transition or enrollment rate gains comparable. It is shown that measures based on the proportions themselves, i.e. the difference between proportions, the proportion ratio and the residual gain ratio do not make the gains comparable. Instead a non-linear transformation has to be done. Two such…

Real test data of unknown structure were analyzed using both a unidimensional and a multidimensional latent trait model in an attempt to determine the underlying components of the test. The models used were the three-parameter logistic model and a multidimensional extension of the two-parameter logistic model. The basic design for the analysis of…

Direct and indirect effects in decomposed zero-order correlations among variables in causal models are considered. Under certain circumstances, the components of the decompositions could be interpreted as direct, indirect, and spurious causal effects, plus a component called joint associations. The sum of the direct and indirect effects is the…

Latent Variables Path (LVP) models have been found to be a helpful device for the formulation and validation of complex theories in educational sciences. The estimation of parameters for LVP models can use the Maximum Likelihood (ML) or the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method. This paper focusses on the PLS method introduced by H. Wold, and…

The equity allocation model for multi-campus districts and/or large divisions is an attempt to rationally allocate expenditure appropriations among campuses or other college units. Typically, the program budget for a school district shows the budget in three dimensions: expenditure object (e.g., salaries, supplies, and contract services); program…

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Mathematics Assessment (1982) data were analyzed using latent class models to determine patterns of distinct skills required by different exercises and to estimate the pattern distributions. The populations were 9-, 13-, and 17-year-old examinees. Skills were assumed to be intermediate between…

The development and testing of a process model of undergraduate student performance and the influence of performance on dropout rates are discussed. An important feature of the model is a feedback loop that represents knowledge of results. A mathematical elaboration of traditional ideas regarding the effect of feedback on performance is included.…

Several special cases of the general Rasch model, varying in complexity, were investigated to determine whether they could successfully model realistic multidimensional item response data. Whether the parameters of the model could be readily interpreted was also investigated. The models investigated included: (1) the vector model; (2) the product…

Much previously published material for estimating the reliability of classification has been based on the assumption that a test consists of a known number of equally weighted items. The test score is the number of those items answered correctly. These methods cannot be used with classifications based on weighted composite scores, especially if…

Using raw-to-scaled-score conversions derived from test-score equating to link item-parameter estimates from the one-parameter (Rasch) and three-parameter logistic models, this study evaluated an indirect method for converting item response theory estimates to a common scale. Data were taken from Petersen's Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scale…

Complex decision-making environments often demand that a range of alternative strategies be identified and compared for their shared value in achieving desired ends. Simple parametric statistical procedures such as analysis of variance and discriminant function analysis can be used in such situations to compare (using selected criteria) the value…

In most item response theory models a particular mathematical form is assumed for all item characteristic curves, e.g., a logistic function. It could be desirable, however, to estimate the shape of the item characteristic curves without prior restrictive assumptions about its mathematical form. We have developed a practical method of estimating…