If two raters assign targets to categories, the ratings can be arranged in a two-dimensional contingency table. This article presents a model for the frequencies in such a contingency table for which Cohen's kappa is a parameter. Illustrates the model using data from a study of the psychobiology of depression. (Author/SLD)

Studied the handling of missing data in the U.S. component of the International Reading Literacy Study and compared theses approaches with other methods of handling missing data. For most analyses of the Reading Literacy Study, results show the data set completed by imputation to be a convenient option. (SLD)

Shows how to test the hypothesis that a nonnested model fits a set of predictors when modeling multiple effect sizes in meta-analysis. Illustrates the procedure using data from previous studies of the effectiveness of coaching on performance on the Scholastic Aptitude Test. (SLD)

Derived an approximate test and confidence interval for coefficient alpha and used the approximate test and confidence interval to derive closed-form sample size formulas that can be used to determine the sample size needed to test coefficient alpha with desired power or to test coefficient alpha with desired precision. (SLD)

Discusses the hierarchical rater model (HRM) of R. Patz (1996) and shows how it can be used to scale examinees and items, model aspects of consensus among raters, and model individual rater severity and consistency effects. Also shows how the HRM fits into the generalizability theory framework. Compares the HRM to the conventional item response…

Examined alternative ways of specifying models in the complier average causal effects (CACE) estimation method when the major interest is in estimating causal effects of treatments for compliers. Explored modeling possibilities of CACE estimation in a maximum likelihood-expectation maximization framework in the presence of covariate information.…

Notes that the article reviewed contributes to the expanding literature on noncompliance by explicating the assumptions involving covariates that can be used to identify maximum likelihood estimates in place of exclusion restrictions. Notes points that require further discussion. (SLD)

Examined two ways of measuring the gap between two cumulative distribution functions (CDFs), vertical and horizontal distance. Demonstrated how these two approaches can lead to contradictory conclusions about small changes in gaps using real data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress. (SLD)

Presents a simple result concerning variances of maximum likelihood (ML) estimators. The result allows for construction of residual diagrams to evaluate whether ML estimators derived from independent samples can be assumed to be equal apart from random errors. Applies this result to the polytomous Rasch model. (SLD)

Describes the contributions of Charles Joseph Minard to statistical graphics, noting the time course of his work and providing background on his famous effort, the flow-map depiction of Napoleon's march on Moscow. Explores some modern re-visions of this famous graphic from an information visualization perspective. (SLD)

Outlines an approach to differential item functioning (DIF) analysis using hierarchical linear regression that makes it possible to combine results of logistic regression analyses across items to identify consistent sources of DIF, to quantify the proportion of explained variation in DIF coefficients, and to compare the predictive accuracy of…

Illustrates that the Benjamini-Hochberg (B-H) procedure to controlling the false positive rate in multiple comparisons is easy to implement using widely available spreadsheet software. Shows that it is feasible to use the B-H procedure to augment or replace the Bonferroni technique. (SLD)

Considers the problem of modeling sustained educational change through the use of dynamic multipliers applied to panel data and attempts to develop and advocate dynamic multiplier analysis for educational research. Presents three examples to illustrate the approach and closes with a discussion of the implications of dynamic multiplier analysis for…

Provides example applications of constrained principal component analysis (CPCA) that illustrate the method on a variety of contexts common to psychological research. Two new analyses, decompositions into finer components and fitting higher order structures, are presented, followed by an illustration of CPCA on contingency tables and the CPCA of…

Asserts that, in principle, an analyst should be satisfied with infinite estimates slope in logistic regression because it indicates that a predictor is perfect. Using simple approaches, hypothesis tests may be performed and confidence intervals calculated even when a slope is infinite. Some functions of parameters that are infinite are still…