Composite scores are an exceptionally important psychometric tool for behavioral science research applications. A prototypical example occurs with self-report data, where researchers routinely use questionnaires with multiple items that tap into different features of a target construct. Item-level missing data are endemic to composite score…

The authors propose a general modeling framework called the general monotone model (GeMM), which allows one to model psychological phenomena that manifest as nonlinear relations in behavior data without the need for making (overly) precise assumptions about functional form. Using both simulated and real data, the authors illustrate that GeMM…

The process-component approach has become quite popular for examining many psychological concepts. A typical example is the model with internal restrictions on item difficulty (MIRID) described by Butter (1994) and Butter, De Boeck, and Verhelst (1998). This study proposes a hierarchical generalized random-situation random-weight MIRID. The…

Previous research on dual-tasks has shown that, under some circumstances, actions impair the perception of action-consistent stimuli, whereas, under other conditions, actions facilitate the perception of action-consistent stimuli. We propose a new model to reconcile these contrasting findings. The planning and control model (PCM) of motorvisual…

This article offers a theoretical model of online, graduate student information seeking behavior. The qualitative methodology used to gather data for the development of the model included an electronic survey and semi-structured interviews conducted online using Adobe Connect Pro[TM]. Participating in the study were 238 graduate students enrolled…

Missing data are a pervasive problem in many psychological applications in the real world. In this article we study the impact of dropout on the operational characteristics of several approaches that can be easily implemented with commercially available software. These approaches include the covariance pattern model based on an unstructured…

The logistic person response function (PRF) models the probability of a correct response as a function of the item locations. Reise (2000) proposed to use the slope parameter of the logistic PRF as a person-fit measure. He reformulated the logistic PRF model as a multilevel logistic regression model and estimated the PRF parameters from this…

Classification procedures are common and useful in behavioral, educational, social, and managerial research. Supervised classification techniques such as discriminant function analysis assume training data are perfectly classified when estimating parameters or classifying. In contrast, unsupervised classification techniques such as finite mixture…

The current study proposes a new procedure for separately estimating slope change and level change between two adjacent phases in single-case designs. The procedure eliminates baseline trend from the whole data series before assessing treatment effectiveness. The steps necessary to obtain the estimates are presented in detail, explained, and…

Five questionnaires were administered to a group of subjects on two separate occasions. The principal concerns were the following: (1) to find evidence for the existence of stable (i.e., over testings) circular triads, (2) To investigate the appropriateness of the additive difference model, if such stable circularities are found, and (3) If such…

In this study, two hypotheses were tested: (1) Self-report data are unrelated to behavior change; (2) Exposure to competent models of open and helpful behavior increases this skill performance in an encounter group. Two encounter groups were conducted with 18 college students who had the incentive to become more open, honest, and helpful. One…

Results indicate that there is no simple relationship between type of observer present and children's aggressive responding following exposure to an aggressive model. (Authors)

Inferences made in integrative research reviews are as important to the validity of behavioral science knowledge as are those in primary research. The research review is conceptualized as a scientific inquiry involving five stages paralleling those of primary research. Problem formulation is the stage when variables are defined conceptually and…

Discusses analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), a standard tool for data analysis in psychological research. Considers the two major ways in which psychologists have used the technique: for increasing the precision of estimation in randomized experiments and for seeking to remove bias in nonrandomized studies, comparing ANCOVA with analytic…

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the guidelines used in the study to develop "good" problems for young children and to describe the nature of some problems so developed. (Author)