A nonmetric algorithm, pairwise partitioning, is developed to identify feature-based similarity structures. Presents theorems about the validity of the features identified by the algorithm, and reports results of Monte Carlo simulations that estimate the probabilities of identifying valid features for different feature structures and amounts of…

Introduces a new technique for estimating the parameters of models with continuous latent data. To streamline presentation of this Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method, the Rasch model is used. Also introduces a new sampling-based Bayesian technique, the DA-T-Gibbs sampler. (SLD)

Proposes a modified version of commonly employed item response models in a fully Bayesian framework and obtains inferences under the model using Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques. Demonstrates use of the model in a series of simulations and with operational data from the North Carolina Test of Computer Skills and the Test of Spoken English…

Simulation studies were used to explore the relationship between Type I error rates (statistical conclusion validity) and multiple testing in data sets exhibiting varying degrees of independence. Implications for reporting and interpreting educational data are discussed, and methods of determining or reducing Type I error incidence are presented.…

The sampling variability and zeta-values of parameter estimates for misspecified structural equation models were examined. A Monte Carlo study was used. Results are discussed in terms of asymptotic theory and the implications for the practice of structural equation models. (SLD)

A Monte Carlo study evaluated the effectiveness of three rules of classifying objects into clusters: nearest neighbor classification; nearest centroid assignment; and quadratic discriminant analysis. Results suggest that the nearest neighbor rule is a useful tool for assessing the validity of the clustering procedure of J. H. Ward (1963). (SLD)

The partitioning of squared Euclidean--E(sup 2)--distance between two vectors in M-dimensional space into the sum of squared lengths of vectors in mutually orthogonal subspaces is discussed. Applications to specific cluster analysis problems are provided (i.e., to design Monte Carlo studies for performance comparisons of several clustering methods…

From 105 samples of 300 observations each and 87 samples with 3,000 observations each, constrained factor analyses of 96 normally distributed variables in a three-stage hierarchical structure were computed by maximum likelihood and unweighted least squares (ULS). ULS took less time and computer resources and led to better estimates. (SLD)

The analysis of contingency tables via set correlation allows the assessment of subhypotheses involving contrast functions of the categories of the nominal scales. The robustness of such methods with regard to Type I error and statistical power was studied via a Monte Carlo experiment. (TJH)

A new approximation is proposed for testing the equality of "k" independent means in the face of heterogeneity of variance. Monte Carlo simulations show that the new procedure has nearly nominal Type I error rates and Type II error rates that are close to those produced by James's second-order approximation. (SLD)

A complete enumeration method and a Monte Carlo method are presented to calculate the probability distribution of arbitrary statistics of adjacency matrices when these matrices have the uniform distribution conditional on given row and column sums, and possibly on a given set of structural zeros. (SLD)

Results of a Monte Carlo study with 4 populations (3,072 conditions) indicate that when distributions depart markedly from normality, nonparametric analysis and parametric analysis of transformed data show superior power to parametric analysis of raw data. Under conditions studied, parametric analysis of transformed data is more powerful than…

A method is proposed for investigating the intersection of item response functions in the nonparametric item-response-theory model of R. J. Mokken (1971). Results from a Monte Carlo study support the proposed use of the transposed data matrix H(sup T) as an extension to Mokken's approach. (SLD)

Whether it is possible to develop a classification function that identifies the underlying range restriction from sample information alone was investigated in a simulation. Results indicate that such a function is possible. The procedure was found to be relatively accurate, robust, and powerful. (SLD)

Seven univariate procedures for testing omnibus null hypotheses for data gathered from repeated measures designs were evaluated, comparing five alternative approaches with two more traditional procedures. Results suggest that the alternatives are improvements. The most effective alternate procedure in controlling Type I error rates is discussed.…