In studies of relatives, conventional multiple regression may not be appropriate because observations are not independent. Obtaining estimates of regression coefficients and correct standard errors from these populations through a structural equation modeling framework is discussed and illustrated with data from twins. (SLD)

Coordinate graphs of time-series data have been significant in the history of statistical graphing and in recent school mathematics curricula. A survey task to construct a graph to represent data about temperature change over time was administered to 133 students in Grades 3, 5, 7, and 9. Four response levels described the degree to which students…

Meta-analytic methods were used to summarize results of Monte Carlo (MC) studies investigating the robustness of various statistical procedures for testing within-subjects effects in split-plot repeated measures designs. Through a literature review, accessible MC studies were identified, and characteristics (simulation factors) and outcomes (rates…

The major goal of this study is to apply the essential unidimensionality statistic of W. Stout and the corresponding computer program (DIMTEST) to a hierarchical level mathematics achievement data set and to determine the extent to which the undimensional assumption can be accurately applied to mathematics achievement data. The study also…

To determine whether a significant relationship exists between educational funding and pupil achievement as measured by Science Research Associates standardized test scores, the author of this study conducted a statistical analysis of the top one-third and bottom one-third of Virginia's 142 school districts. The 30 districts selected were chosen…

Multidimensional item difficulty (MID) is proposed as a means of describing test items which measure more than one ability. With mathematical story problems, for instance, both mathematical and verbal skills are required to obtain a correct answer. The proposed measure of MID is based upon three general assumptions: (1) the probability of…

This paper reports the results of a Monte Carlo investigation of Type I errors in the single group repeated measures design where multiple measures are collected from each observational unit at each measurement occasion. The Type I error of three multivariate tests were examined. These were the doubly multivariate F test, the multivariate mixed…

A Monte Carlo study of five indices of dimensionality of binary items used a computer model that allowed sampling of both items and people. Five parameters were systematically varied in a factorial design: (1) number of common factors from one to five; (2) number of items, including 20, 30, 40, and 60; (3) sample sizes of 125 and 500; (4) nearly…

The work presented in this paper defined conceptually the concepts of multidimensional discrimination and information, derived mathematical expressions for the concepts for a particular multidimensional item response theory (IRT) model, and applied the concepts to actual test data. Multidimensional discrimination was defined as a function of the…

This study makes demographic projections of the limited English proficient (LEP) and non English language background (NELB) populations in the United States to the year 2000, based on 1976 figures. Results of NELB projections include the following: (1) the Spanish group is increasing dramatically, but the Asian and non-Spanish/non-Asian groups are…

Reading test data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) were scaled using the unidimensional item response theory model. Data were collected for students aged 9, 13, and 17. To determine whether the responses to the reading items were consistent with unidimensionality, four different methods were applied: (1) principal…

Approximately 1200 Danish school children aged 8, 11, and 14 participated in a questionnaire study under the caption, "Why I like to read." Data from Denmark formed part of an international study, in which 12 other countries used the same questionnaire to explore various functions of reading and to compare them over different countries.…

This investigation examined the influence of sample size on different goodness-of-fit indices used in confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The first two data sets were derived from large normative samples of responses to a multidimensional self-concept instrument and to a multidimensional instrument used to assess students' evaluations of teaching…

This study compares the amount parents proposed to contribute to their child's education and the amount they can reasonably be expected to pay, based on two separate financial formulas. The two formulas are the consensus methodology developed by the National Task Force on Student Aid Problems (the Keppel Commission) and that of the family…

The profile of professional staff at the university, presented in tabular form without narration, includes data on full-time faculty, deans and assistant deans, support faculty, and other professional staff members. The characteristics included are: demographic; years of experience in higher education; years of experience since earning their…