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 effects of model misspecification on the precision of decisions made using the sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) in computer testing. Simulation results show that the one-parameter logistic model produced more errors than the true model. (SLD)

Describes the developmental process used to visualize the calcium ATPase enzyme of the sarcoplasmic reticulum which involves evaluating scientific information, consulting scientists, model making, storyboarding, and creating and editing in a computer medium. (Author/CCM)

Discusses how to train teams in problem-solving skills. Topics include team training, the use of technology, instructional strategies, simulations and training, theoretical framework, and an event-based approach for training teams to perform in naturalistic environments. Contains 68 references. (Author/LRW)

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)

Proposes a parallel distributed-processing (PDP) model to account for choice-reaction-time performance in diverse cognitive and perceptual tasks that are interrelated in terms of stimulus-stimulus and stimulus-response overlap. Simulation results support the PDP model. (SLD)

Describes a simulation activity that has most of the features of a real situation. Discusses how this activity worked in the language classroom. (Author/VWL)

Investigated incorporating a testlet definition into the estimation of the conditional standard error of measurement (SEM) for tests composed of testlets using five conditional SEM estimation methods. Results from 3,876 tests from the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills and 1,000 simulated responses show that item-based methods provide lower conditional…

Discusses skill transfer and training methods that encourage learners to develop strategic knowledge to maximize transfer. Considers teaching knowledge of goal interactions and side effects to enhance domain-specific strategies and describes an experiment that examined the extent to which transfer is facilitated by strategic knowledge. (Author/LRW)

Provides a model of the basis of the differentiation process consisting of item detectors that learn estimates of conditional probabilities of item features. The model is used to account for a number of findings in the recognition-memory literature including the differentiation effect. Simulations illustrate the model. (SLD)

Nonlinear latent variable models are specified that include quadratic forms and interactions of latent regressor variable as special cases. To estimate the parameters, the models are put in a Bayesian framework with conjugate priors for the parameters. The proposed estimation methods are illustrated by two simulation studies. (SLD)

Illustrates the design and planning of Monte Carlo simulations, presenting nine steps in planning and performing a Monte Carlo analysis from developing a theoretically derived question of interest through summarizing the results. Uses a Monte Carlo simulation to illustrate many of the relevant points. (SLD)

Assessed two models for confirmatory factor analysis of multitrait-multimethod data through Monte Carlo simulation. The correlated traits-correlated methods (CTCM) and the correlated traits-correlated uniqueness (CTCU) models were compared. Results suggest that CTCU is a good alternative to CTCM in the typical multitrait-multimethod matrix, but…

Describes a method to teach introductory astronomy students about the phases of the moon. Uses video techniques to aid students in developing the skill of visualizing the same phenomenon from different frames of reference. (JRH)

Presents a lecture and play in which the students themselves become the elements of the immune system. Aims at facilitating student comprehension and retention of the complicated processes associated with the immune system. Includes objectives, outline, background information sources, instructor guide, student narrator guide, extension, and topics…