Examined the performance of a recently available full information maximum likelihood (FIML) estimator in a multiple regression model with missing data using Monte Carlo simulation and considering the effects of four independent variables. Results indicate that FIML estimation was superior to that of three ad hoc techniques, with less bias and less…

Provides select power and sample size tables and interpolation strategies associated with the root mean square error of approximation test of not close fit under standard assumed conditions. The goal is to inform researchers conducting structural equation modeling about power limitations when testing a model. (SLD)

Studied the effects of sample size on the cumulative distribution of selected fit indices using Monte Carlo simulation. Generally, the comparative fit index exhibited very stable patterns and was less influenced by sample size or data types than were other fit indices. (SLD)

Assessed the extent to which results in exploratory factor analysis (EFA) studies can be replicated by confirmatory factor analysis in the same sample. Used 10 factor structures drawn from the literature. Results show that confirmatory factor models in which all low EFA pattern coefficients were fixed to zero fitted especially poorly. (SLD)

Used the national standardization sample (n=2,200) of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Third Edition (WISC-III) to investigate differential item functioning (DIF) in 6 WISC-III subtests. Detected both uniform DIF and nonuniform DIF, finding DIF for about one third of the items studied. Discusses implications for use of the WISC-III.…

Administered the Generalized Expectancy for Success-Revised (GESS-R) scale (B. Fibel and W. Hale, 1978) to 547 full-time employees in the United States. Exploratory factor analysis found four distinct factors, and scores on these four subscales were minimally related to the demographics of the subjects and had adequate internal consistency.…

Studied the interpretation of scores on the Kaufman Ability Battery for Children(K-ABC) (Kaufman and Kaufman, 1983) as a measure of "Pure" intelligence in the Israeli standardization sample of 1,600 students in kindergarten through grade 8. Schooling was found to affect raw scores on all K-ABC mental processing scores, and the effects of…

Used a multitrait-multimethod approach to investigate the validity of scores on locally prepared performance assessments taken by 6,000 third and fourth graders in reading, language arts, and mathematics. A partial explanation for the lack of construct validity evidence for the performance assessment scores is the probable low reliability of…

Studied the dimensionality of responses to the Study Skills Self-Efficacy Scale (M. Ramirez and S. Owen, 1991) using exploratory factor analysis and investigated the use of Rasch measures in differentiating between groups of students who report being academically successful or at risk. Results for 550 college students indicate that responses…

Developed the Stress in General Scale and studied its validity with three samples of adult workers (n=4,322; n=574; and n=34). Evidence converged on the existence of two distinct subscales, each of which measured a different aspect of general work stress. Studies also resulted in meaningful patterns of correlations with stressor measures. (SLD)

Describes a Windows program for checking the suitability of unidimensional logistic item response models for binary and ordered polytomous responses with respect to a given set of data. The program is based on predicting the observed test score distributions from the item characteristic curves. (SLD)

Applied reliable component analysis (RCA) to the normative data (2,100 children and adolescents) for the Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test (UNIT) (A. Bracken and R. McCallum, 1998) to allow for the computation of reliable uncorrelated memory and reasoning scores. RCA sores were highly replicable, had good convergent validity, and had greater…

Used two different coherent cut kinetics taxonomic procedures to examine the latent structure of responses to a survey of library service quality using an unnumbered slider-bar user interface and a radio-button user interface. Results for 354 college students show that both interfaces yield similar latent structures of survey item responses. (SLD)

Used reliability generalization to explore the variance of scores on 10 Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) clinical scales drawing on 1,972 articles in the literature on the MMPI. Results highlight the premise that scores, not tests, are reliable or unreliable, and they show that study characteristics do influence scores on the…

Compared effect sizes based on simulated groups for the one-parameter and three-parameter logistic item response theory (IRT) models. Data fit the three-parameter model much better, but there were only minimal differences between the effect sizes based on different models. (SLD)