bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survey of Computer Programs for Diabetes Management and Education
Authors: Smith J. Mariel , Pike Richard A. , Jakubowski Beatrice , Pardoe Janice R.
Published: March 2007

A number of computer software programs have been developed to facilitate diabetes management and education for health profes sionals and people with diabetes. Some programs calculate insulin dosages and dietary require ments ; others function as electronic logbooks, expediting the storage, evaluation, and inter pretation of diabetes management data. Education programs are available to teach health profes sionals and people with diabetes how to perform a variety of tasks, including insulin administration and blood and urine glucose testing. Simulations of clinical situations enable nurses to sharpen their diabetes management skills; other programs use gamelike formats to educate young people and adults who have diabetes about the disease. This brief survey describes some computer software programs identified by the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health. Information regarding computer compatibility, price, and source is provided for the programs discussed in the paper.
Experiences With Diabetes Mellitus and Implantable Insulin Pump Therapy: A Summary of Interview Data
Authors: Meize-Grochowski A. Robin
Published: March 2007

A semistructured interview was used to elicit information from 23 implantable insulin pump recip ients regarding their concerns about having diabetes mellitus, their decision to receive an implantable insulin pump, and their experiences with the pump. Findings indicated that subjects had present and future concerns about having diabetes mellitus and that they wanted an implantable insulin pump primarily to achieve better control of their diabetes. Subjects said their health generally improved after pump implantation and that the pump had minimal inter ference with their social lives. Although 16 subjects identified concerns about the pump, all subjects said they would decide again for pump implantation.
Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose by Adolescents With Diabetes: Technical Skills and Utilization of Data
Authors: Delamater Alan M. , Davis Susan G. , Bubb Jeanne , Santiago Julio V. , Smith Jeffrey A. , White Neil H.
Published: March 2007

Two studies of adolescent patients were conducted to determine their technical skills and utilization of data obtained by self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). In Study 1, direct observations of 58 adolescents revealed an overall SMBG technical accuracy score of 82 %. Most frequent errors were not cleaning fingers (45 %), not placing blood on strips correctly (21 %), and wiping strip at wrong time (14%). Technical performance was inversely correlated with blood glucose concentration, but was unrelated to other variables. In Study 2, a questionnaire was used to determine SMBG practices among 64 adolescents. Although the majority of patients reported doing daily SMBG, most did not record results in logbooks every time or utilize such data for self- management. No significant relationships were found between SMBG behaviors and other variables. We conclude that periodic evaluation and retraining are required for maintenance of SMBG skills and that methods to enhance utilization of SMBG data be developed for this patient population.
Patient-Provider Interactions and Patient Outcomes
Authors: SANSON-FISHER ROBERT W. , CAMPBELL ELIZABETH M. , REDMAN SELINA , HENNRIKUS DEBORAH J.
Published: March 2007

Research shows that a number of provider interactional skills are empirically related to patient adherence, making interaction skills a necessary and important part of clinical competence. These skills fall into three broad categories: techniques to elicit and modify patients' health and treatment beliefs, to aid recall of information, and to aid adherence. Specific skills in each category are discussed. Research further shows that health care providers can be taught effective communication skills, and that one of the most effective teaching techniques is audio or video feedback in which the provider's interaction with a patient is judged by tutor and peers using explicit, empirically based criteria.
Discussion: The Recent Past, Present, and Foreseeable Future of Research on Patient Teaching
Authors: MAZZUCA STEVEN A.
Published: March 2007

Research on diabetes patient education over the last decade has flourished in a general climate of interest in the therapeutic value of tight metabolic control. That climate is changing. Whether patient education contributes to metabolic control may not be as much a research question in the future as what specific teaching protocols and/or communication strategies produce the highest levels of cognitive and behavioral outcomes. Quality control is a growing area of interest. This paper discusses how each of the symposium presenter's remarks might contribute to research on new teaching methods to increase the overall quality of diabetes patient education.
A Hospital-Based Day Camp for Children With Diabetes
Authors: Dorman Pamela Meadows
Published: March 2007

This paper describes the planning and implementation of a one-day program of recreation and educationfor children with diabetes that offers the same sort offun, peer interaction, and education that the children would get in a summer day camp. The program's curriculum is based on the intrinsic nature of 6- to 11- year-old children-present- oriented thinking, increasing independence, and greater time spent with peers. Consideration is given to the sequence of activities, safety and liability issues, promotion of the camp, and cost. Such one-day camps offer children with diabetes a better understanding of their disease, along with valuable peer inter action and good fun.
Computer-Assisted Self-Control of Diabetes by Adolescents
Authors: Horan Patricia P. , Yarborough Margaret C. , Besigel Garry , Carlson Debbie R.
Published: March 2007

This paper reports an experi mental investigation of the microcomputer-based system, Diabetes in Self-Cantral (DISC), used to facilitate adolescents' self- management of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Twenty 12- to 19-year-old subjects were matched into 10 pairs and randomly assigned to DISC or conventional education (CE). Following a no-treatment phase, information about diabetes and self-monitoring was presented during 7 weeks ofphase 2 by means of computer-assisted instruction for the DISC group and printed materials for the CE group. During the 8 weeks of phase 3, DISC subjects received training on monitoring the relationships among variables, diabetes problem solving, and goal setting. Improvement that was both statistically and clini cally significant was noted in the DISCgroup's prelunch and dinner glucose levels. The DISC group showed clinical improvement in frequency of blood glucose testing. Finally, DISC subjects reported more behavioral change as a function of what was learned.
Teaching Assertive Communication Skills to Adolescents with Diabetes: Evaluation of a Camp Curriculuxn
Authors: Smith Karev E. , Schreiner Barbara , Jackson Camilia , Travis Luther B.
Published: March 2007

Diabetes management requires consistently implementing adherence behaviors in a variety of settings. For some adolescents, consistency may be difficult due to problems in communication and assertiveness. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of a camp curriculum to teach assertive communication skills to adolescents with diabetes. The curriculum included didactic information, sharing ofpersonal experiences, and role playing. Results showed a significant increase in adolescents' perceptions of their assertiveness from before to after the camp experience, an increase that was still apparent at a 3-month follow-up. No changes were reported in parental perceptions oftheir adolescents' degree of openness in communicating or in communication problems. In contrast, adolescents reported a significant decrease in their degree of openness in communicating with fathers, with a similar tnend for mothers. These results suggest that the curriculum was successful in meeting the primary goal of enhancing the adolescents' assertive communication skills but had a questionable impact on their general communications with parents.
The Challenges of Teaching Clients With Cerebrovascular Accidents to Manage Their Diabetes
Authors: Hernandez Cheri A. , Grinspun Doris R.
Published: March 2007

Cerebrovascular accident is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in adults, and occurs more frequently in persons with diabetes. The numerous resulting cognitive, perceptual, communicative, and motor disturbances present a challenge to the individual's ability to learn and carry out aspects of diabetes care and other personal care activities. Different educational strategies can be used depending on the impairments that are present and the needs of the individual. The major goal of these interventions is to help the individual achieve an optimal level of independence, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. After a thorough assessment to identify the remaining abilities, the educator should collaborate with clients and their families to plan and implement ability enhancing and ability compensating strategies.
Gender Differences in Diabetes Attitudes and Adherence
Authors: Fitzgerald James T. , Anderson Robert M. , Davis Wayne K.
Published: March 2007

This study focused on three questions: Is there a difference in men's and women's diabetes attitudes? Do health professionals give different recommendations to men and women? Is there a difference between men and women in care adherence?

A total of 1201 patients with diabetes were surveyed; 65% of these patients were women. Differences in diabetes attitudes (three of seven attiticdes) were most evident between men and women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). No differences were found in the attitudes of men and women with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) using insulin, and only one attitude was different for patients with NIDDM not using insulin.

Few differences were observed in the recommendations given by health professionals to men and women. Gender differences in adherence to the components of self-care also were minimal.

These findings may indicate that there are many similarities in the reactions of men and women who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
The Impact of an Educational Program on Improving Diabetes Knowledge and Changing Behaviors of Nurses in Long-Term Care Facilities
Authors: Parker Monica Turner , Leggett-Frazier Nancy , Vincent Pauline A. , Swanson Melvin S.
Published: March 2007

Nursing staffs from two long-term care facilities attended a multisession educational program about the care of residents with diabetes (treatment group). A control group consisted of the nursing staffs from two other similar facilities who did not participate in the educational program. Both groups were given a knowledge pretest and posttest. A chart review also was conducted following the educational intervention to determine any changes in the diabetes care provided by the treatment group.

Following the educational program, the treatment group had a significant increase in their mean score on the knowledge test compared with the control group. However, a. review of the residents' charts revealed no significant increases in specific behaviors related to diabetes care. The findings suggest that, in addition to educational programs, more focused training concerning diabetes care is needed to improve the care of residents with diabetes in long-term care facilities. Implications for diabetes educators are discussed.
Use of Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion in Young Adolescents With Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Study
Authors: BOLAND ELIZABETH A. , AHERN JOANN
Published: March 2007

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) was initiated in a young female adolescent with severe insulin resistance, decreased growth velocity, and poor metabolic control. The patient's insulin dose had been 3 u/kg/day, and it was hypothesized that her insulin requirements would be much less when only regular insulin was used. Because of the potential risk of severe hypoglycemia from giving regular insulin in amounts equivalent to her injection total daily dose as a constant subcutaneous infusion, the patient was hospitalized to begin pump therapy. Hourly glucose levels were collected for 24 hours to determine insulin requirements with this therapy. The patient subsequently required a significantly reduced dose of insulin (1.2 u/kg/day) with CSII, and her growth velocity improved. Metabolic control based on glycosylated hemoglobin levels also improved. Insulin pump treatment proved to be a viable solution for this young adolescent who required large doses of insulin to maintain reasonable control. Challenges of using this type of therapy in young patients are discussed.
Fear of Hypoglycemia in the Parents of Children and Adolescents With Diabetes: Maladaptive or Healthy Response?
Authors: Marrero David G. , Guare John C. , Vandagriff Julie L. , Fineberg Naomi S.
Published: March 2007

Sixty-one parents of children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus completed modified versions of the Hypoglycemic Fear Survey (HFS) and the Diabetes Quality of Life (DQOL) scale. They also indicated their child's history ofhypoglycemic related seizures or loss of consciousness (SLC) events. Parental HFS scores were significantly greater if their child had ever experienced a SLC event or experienced a SLC event within the past year. Parental HFS scores were positively correlated with general parental worry about their child having diabetes. Adolescent children who experienced a SLC event during the past year reported greater HFS scores, greater general worry about diabetes, and a greater negative impact of having diabetes compared with adolescents with no such history. Despite the greater fear of hypoglycemia in prrrents and adolescents, there was no significant difference in HbA1 values between children with or without any history of SLC events or children with or without a SLC event within the past year.
College Students with Diabetes: Using Focus Groups and Interviews to Determine Psychosocial Issues and Barriers to Control
Authors: Wdowik Melissa J. , Kendall Patricia A. , Harris Mary A.
Published: March 2007

College students with diabetes are at risk for improvised diabetes care due to their age, newly acquired independence, and erratic schedules. The purpose of this study was to employ focus groups and interviews to identity factors that affect the ability of these students to engage in appropriate self-care behaviors. Focus group and interview questions were developed to address variables of tlte Expanded Health Belief Model. Two focus groups and fifteen interviews were condcrcted. Barriers to successful diabetes management were time management, stress, hypoglycemic reactions, diet management constraints, and inadequate finances. Several psychosocial issues that affected successful management also were identified. These issues were grouped into three categories: (1) inconveniences of diabetes management, (2) motivators to managing diabetes, and (3) social support issues. The findings show the value of formative evaluation that can then be used to design diabetes education programs to meet clients' perceived needs,
A Rural Diabetes Support Group
Authors: Morris Diane Baker
Published: March 2007

Rural residents with diabetes often feel isolated from health professionals. Support groups provide a bridge between formal health care and the self-help that is practiced by clients with diabetes. Increased knowledge and social support can lead to increased glucose control in adults with diabetes. The purpose of this project was to address the social support and educational needs of rural residents with diabetes by implementing an adult diabetes support group. Future research on implementing support groups would guide advanced practice nurses and nurse educators in developing more appropriate support groups for clients.
Social Psychology Job Applicants: Normative Information and the Question of Sexism
Authors: McNeel Steven P. , McKillip Jack , DiMiceli Anthony J. , VanTuinen Mark , Reid Edward C. , Barrett Gary
Published: March 2007

Demographic, educational, and research information was abstracted from vitas of 183 applicants for Assistant Professor social psychology positions in 1974 and 1975. Significant differences were found between male and female applicants on criteria indicating research productivity. Some possible explanations are explored.
The Inverse Relationship Between Restaurant Party Size and Tip Percentage: Diffusion of Responsibility or Equity?
Authors: Snyder Melvin L.
Published: March 2007

A recent study predicted and found that tip percentage declined as the size of the dining party increased. The prediction was based on the notion of diffusion of responsibility. An alternative explanation is offered that is rooted in the concept of equity.
Evaluation and Society
Authors: Guttentag Marcia
Published: March 2007

Evaluation research requires a different paradigm than classical experimental research. It requires a paradigm in which it is possible to use the multiple objectives of different groups as the framework within which decisions about data gathering are made. It requires decision-oriented rather than conclusion-oriented research, although experiments and other forms of data generation can be used. This article discusses the unique characteristics of evaluation research and the decision theoretic (Maut-Bayesian) paradigm which fulfills these special requirements.
The Effects of Physical Attractiveness and Need for Approval on Self-Disclosure
Authors: Brundage Lani E. , Derlega Valerian J. , Cash Thomas F.
Published: March 2007

Ninety-six female college students, who had obtained either low, moderate, or high scores on the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, believed that they would meet a physically attractive or unattractive male as part of a study on the acquain tance process. After viewing a photo of the bogus partner, sub jects wrote a self-description which would ostensibly be shown to him. Results indicated that intimacy of self-disclosure was greater to the attractive than unattractive target persons, and that intimacy of self-disclosure was inversely related to subject's need for approval. Implications of the physical attractiveness effects on self-disclosure for the process of friendship formation were also discussed.
A Semantic Basis for Evaluative Trait Judgments
Authors: Riley Mary S. , Bryson Jeff B.
Published: March 2007

A measure of trait inter-relatedness derived from correlations, across subjects, between evaluative ratings of separate traits was (a) examined in terms of its ability to provide a satisfac tory representation of the semantic structure underlying judg ments of a set of traits and (b) compared to a trait-sorting task measure of stimulus co-occurrence. Results suggested that evaluative intercorrelations provide a better measure of semantic similarity than provided by trait-sorting. Reasons for this superiority are discussed.
Effects of Partial Reinforcement with Attitudinal Statements on a Lever-Raising Response
Authors: Arenson Sidney J. , Morisano Frank A.
Published: March 2007

The effect of partial reinforcement on extinction was investigated in a free operant procedure, using similar attitude statements, dissimilar attitude statements, neutral statements of fact, and blank cards as reinforcers. A group partially rein forced with similar statements was more resistant to extinction than a group continuously reinforced. This effect was also found with dissimilar statements. No partial reinforcement effect was found with neutral statements or blank cards.
Psychophysical and Social Ratings of Human Body Odor
Authors: McBurney Donald H. , Levine John M. , Cavanaugh Patricia H.
Published: March 2007

Male graduate students provided body odor samples, rated the odors for unpleasantness using a standard magnitude estimation procedure, and attempted to identify their own odor. Male and female undergraduates rated the odors for unpleasant ness and evaluated odor donors using bipolar adjective scales. Results indicated a high degree of agreement among subjects' (graduates and undergraduates) rankings of odor unpleasantness. Correlations demonstrated that odor unpleasantness was generally associated with socially undesirable traits. Odor donors typically rated their own odor as more pleasant than did other raters. Odor donors demonstrated marginal ability to detect their own odor.
Rape: A Review Essay
Authors: Vinsel Anne
Published: March 2007

This paper reviews two recent books, Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape and The Politics of Rape: The Victim's Perspective in the context of current research on rape. Though both books are nontechnical, their potential contribution to the focus and direction of rape research is discussed.
The Effect of Commitment on Information Utilization in the Attribution Process
Authors: Pittman Thane S. , Scherrer Frederick W. , Wright Joann B.
Published: March 2007

The hypothesis that increased behavioral commitment causes increased utilization of information about a communicator was tested. Commitment to a position (public or private speech), communicator's situational description (mand or tact), and communication discrepancy (consonant or discrepant) were varied factorially. The situational description of the communicator significantly influenced attributions of causality with high but not with low commitment.
Crisis in Social Psychology: Some Remarks Towards Breaking Through the Crisis
Authors: Sherifl Muzafer
Published: March 2007

I. The Wheat vs. Chaff Ratio in the Sky-Rocketing Volume of Research and Publication

II. Two Illustrative Areas of Thriving Research: Small Group Research and Attitude-Attitude Change Research

III. The Increasing Hue and Cry Over the Crisis

A. Diversity of proposals reveal as much about the proposers as what they propose.

IV. Some Remarks Toward Breaking Through the Crisis

V. The Roots of Crisis in Social Disciplines are Deep and Wide
The Effects of Group Size on Cognitive Effort and Evaluation
Authors: Petty Richard E. , Harkins Stephen G. , Williams Kipling D. , Latane Bibb
Published: March 2007

Students rated a poem and an editorial believing that they alone were responsible, that they were one of four persons responsible, or that they were one of sixteen persons responsible for evaluating the communications. As predicted, group mem bers reported putting less effort into the assessment than indi viduals, and this diffusion of effort followed an inverse power function. In addition, individuals evaluated the communications more favorably than persons who thought they shared the evalu ation responsibility.
Role-taking processes in constructing social realities
Authors: Norman Alexander C.
Published: March 2007

Patterns of objective evaluations of stimuli in social judgment studies indicate that consensual validation is not the only criterion for the definition of social reality. People differ in their assessments of stimulus values as a function of their per sonal attitudes. The present study shows that these differences are understood and anticipated by others who are able to predict an individual's objective judgment from his subjective preferences and vice-versa. The data suggest that people systematically and fairly accurately take the role of others when evaluating the con tent of their communications.
The Structure of Racial Attitudes of Blacks
Authors: Brigham John C.
Published: March 2007

Previous research has indicated that, although the racial attitudes of whites appear to be organized around a number of different content areas, there is still enough coherence in response to warrant the use of a single summary score to represent overall racial attitude, Factor analyses of the responses of black students to a parallel attitude measure indicated the pre sence of two relatively independent factors: items dealing with feelings toward whites and items referring to the desirability of various race-related policies. These findings suggest that the structure of blacks' verbal racial attitudes differs from the structure of whites' attitudes. It is suggested that the use of a single summary score to represent the overall attitude of blacks is not justifiable; scores representing each of the two major factors should be utilized.
Ideology and Planned Social Change: A Critique of Two Popular Change Strategies
Authors: Kytle Jackson
Published: March 2007

Social psychology has been a major contributor to the planned social change industry which increasingly influ ences all levels of society from families to corporations. This paper introduces a critique of the technological ethos of the change industry by scrutinizing two popular strategies: Beck hard's organizational development with "enterprise managers" as clients, and Alinsky's community organizing among "have-not" clients. After elaborating a conceptual model for classifying theories of society and social change, the model is applied to the practice of each theorist and each is critiqued. Beck hard is shown to follow a consensus paradigm in his basic as sumptions about individuals and society. Alinsky, on the other hand, is shown to work according to a conflict paradigm, which assumes that conflict is both normal and even desirable. In concluding, the conflict/consensus distinction is critiqued as a false dichotomy, and it is argued that the important ques tion is not which model works better (a technological issue) but rather, how thoroughly one can apply dialectical methods based on assumptions of conflict and continuing historical change. These methods alone offer a partial answer for the complex question of whose values the change agent really repre sents and whether, in the long run, change means progress.
A Dialectical Social Psychology? Comments on a Symposium
Authors: Brewster Smith M.
Published: March 2007

In discussion of four symposium papers in "dialectical social psychology", a specifically dialectical approach is distinguished from a more general Marxist approach. The dialectical emphasis on self-transforming interactive process is seen as highly appropriate to social psychology. To the extent that such a program is carried out, the "contradiction" between social psychology as science and social psychology as history is resolved to recognize that social psychology must be developmental and historical if it is to be adequately scientific.
Using Computerized Tests to Measure New Dimensions of Abilities: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Cory Charles H. , Rimland Bernard , Bryson Rebecca A.
Published: March 2007

A battery of Graphic Information Processing Tests (GRIP) was developed to utilize the display characteristics of computer terminals in measuring abilities important for processing visually presented information. The GRIP battery was especially in tended to assess five "real world" personal at tributes which have been difficult to measure with paper-and-pencil tests. The experimental tests were administered to 385 Navy enlisted men and evalu ated in conjunction with paper-and-pencil tests of the same attributes as well as with operational cog nitive tests and biographical variables. The GRIP tests were found to be useful for measuring short- term memory and sequential reasoning abilities.
Best Procedures For Sample-Free Item Analysis
Authors: Wright Benjamin D. , Douglas Graham A.
Published: March 2007

Wright's (1969) widely used "unconditional" pro cedure for Rasch sample-free item calibration is biased. A correction factor which makes the bias negligible is identified and demonstrated. Since this procedure, in spite of its superiority over "condi tional" procedures, is nevertheless slow at calibra ting 60 or more items, a simple approximation which produces comparable estimates in a few seconds is developed. Since no procedure works on data containing persons or items with infinite para meter estimates, an editing algorithm for preparing item response data for calibration is appended.
What If We Administered the "Wrong" Inventory? The Prediction of Scores on Personality Research Form Scales from Those on the California Psychological Inventory, and Vice Versa
Authors: Goldberg Lewis R.
Published: March 2007

Equations are presented for estimating the scores on each of 20 PRF scales and each of 19 CPI scales from the other inventory. Estimates of the cross-validity of these inter-inventory predic tion equations ranged from about .40 to approxi mately .80. Scores on the typical CPI scale are predicted reasonably well by one or two PRF con tent scales, plus the Desirability scale. While scores on most PRF scales can be equally well es timated by a few CPI scales, one PRF scale—Sen— tience—appears to be unpredictable from the CPI.
Development of a Self-Report Inventory for Assessing Individual Differences in Learning Processes
Authors: Schmeck Ronald Ray , Ribich Fred , Ramanaiah Nerella
Published: March 2007

Five studies are presented—all related to the de velopment and application of a self-report inventory for measuring individual differences in learning processes. Factor analysis of items derived by trans lating laboratory learning processes into the context of academic study yielded four scales: Synthesis- Analysis, Study Methods, Fact Retention, and Elab orative Processing. There were no sex differences, and the scales demonstrated acceptable reliabilities. The Synthesis-Analysis and Elaborative Processing scales both assess aspects of information processing (including depth of processing), but Synthesis- Analysis assesses organizational processes, while Elaborative Processing deals with active, elaborative approaches to encoding. These two scales were positively related to performance under incidental learning instructions in both a lecture-learning and traditional verbal-learning study. Study Methods assessed adherence to systematic, traditional study techniques. This scale was positively related to per formance in the intentional condition of the verbal learning study. The Fact Retention scale assessed the propensity to retain detailed, factual informa tion. It was positively related to performance in the incidental condition of the verbal-learning but not the lecture-learning study. Future research and ap plications are discussed.
Effects of Computerized Administration on Scores on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
Authors: Biskin Bruce H. , Kolotkin Ronette L.
Published: March 2007

This study investigated the effects of administer ing a personality inventory by computer. Both the results of the initial study and a replication suggest that significant differences exist between paper-pen cil and computer administrations of the MMPI on the cannot say (?) scale and scale 6 (Paranoia). However, there appears to be no set of items that would account for these scale differences. Dif ferences on the ? scale were explained in terms of the different methods used to omit items in each condition. Differences on scale 6 were small, and the clinical significance of that difference needs to be investigated further. Implications for future re search on computer-administered personality in struments are discussed.
The Relationship Between the Perceived Risk and Attractiveness of Gambles: A Multidimensional Analysis
Authors: Nygren Thomas E.
Published: March 2007

Judgments of perceived risk and attractiveness for a set of 50 two-outcome gambles were obtained from 39 college students. The data were used to test various ordinal properties of the gambles implied by Pollatsek and Tversky's theory of risk and Coombs' Portfolio theory. In addition, the MDPREF multidimensional scaling procedure was used (1) to test the assumption that gambles are perceived and evaluated as multidimensional stimu li; (2) to determine the characteristics of gambles affecting perceived risk and attractiveness; (3) to as sess the extent of individual differences in percep tion of gambles; and (4) to test the implication of Portfolio theory that attractiveness is a function of perceived risk and expected value. The results sup ported the multidimensional nature of gambles and the implications of Portfolio theory. In the MDPREF analyses large individual differences were found in perceived risk and attractiveness of gam bles. Potential uses of multidimensional scaling techniques in further research on individual dif ferences in gambling behavior are proposed and discussed.
Monte Carlo Simulation Studies
Authors: Spence Ian
Published: March 2007

This paper reviews the use of the monte carlo method to help illuminate various issues in the area of multidimensional scaling. Both two-way and three- way multidimensional scaling models and procedures are considered. Sampling distribution studies, studies comparing different procedures, and studies that have examined the basic capabilities of the methods under a variety of conditions are reviewed. Based upon the simulations, recommendations are given regarding several problems that face the user of multidimen sional scaling techniques, for example, choosing a computer program, deciding upon the appropriate di mensionality or whether useful structure exists in the data, and dealing with large stimulus sets. Practical advice is given regarding the use of several computer programs, including M-D-SCAL, TORSCA, SSA-I, KYST, MINISSA-I, INDSCAL, ALSCAL, and MULTISCALE, as well as traditional Young-House holder-Torgerson scaling.
The Effect of Number of Rating Scale Categories on Levels of Interrater Reliability : A Monte Carlo Investigation
Authors: Cicchetti Domenic V. , Shoinralter Donald , Tyrer Peter J.
Published: March 2007

A computer simulation study was designed to in vestigate the extent to which the interrater reliability of a clinical scale is affected by the number of cate gories or scale points (2, 3, 4, ... ,100). Results in dicate that reliability increases steadily up to 7 scale points, beyond which no substantial increases occur, even when the number of scale poirits is increased to as many as 100. These findings hold under the follow ing conditions: (1) The research investigator has insuf ficient a priori knowledge to use as a reliable guide line for deciding on an appropriate number of scale points to employ, and (2) the dichotomous and ordinal categories being considered all have an underlying metric or continuous scale format.
An Estimator of Examinee-Level Measurement Error Variance That Considers Test Form Difficulty Adjustments
Authors: Jarjoura David
Published: March 2007

A model and estimator for examinee-level measure ment error variance are developed. Although the bi nomial distribution is basic to the modeling, the pro posed error model provides some insights into problems associated with simple binomial error, and yields estimates of error that are quite distinct from bi nomial error. By taking into consideration test form difficulty adjustments often used in standardized tests, the model is linked also to indices designed for identi fying unusual item response patterns. In addition, av erage error variance under the model is approximately that which would be obtained through a KR-20 estimate of reliability, thus providing a unique justification for this popular index. Empirical results using odd-even and alternate-forms measures of error variance tend to favor the proposed model over the binomial.
Statistical Inference for Coefficient Alpha
Authors: Feldt Leonard S. , Woodruff David J. , Salih Fathi A.
Published: March 2007

Rigorous comparison of the reliability coefficients of several tests or measurement procedures requires a sampling theory for the coefficients. This paper sum marizes the important aspects of the sampling theory for Cronbach's (1951) coefficient alpha, a widely used internal consistency coefficient. This theory enables researchers to test a specific numerical hypothesis about the population alpha and to obtain confidence intervals for the population coefficient. It also permits researchers to test the hypothesis of equality among several coefficients, either under the condition of inde pendent samples or when the same sample has been used for all measurements. The procedures are illus trated numerically, and the assumptions and deriva tions underlying the theory are discussed.
An Application of the Three-Parameter IRT Model to Vertical Equating
Authors: Harris Deborah J. , Hooker H.D.
Published: March 2007

This study examined the effectiveness of the three- parameter IRT model in vertically equating five over lapping levels of a mathematics computation test. One to four test levels were administered within intact classrooms to randomly equivalent groups of third through eighth grade students. Test characteristic curves were derived for each grade/test level combina tion. It was generally found that an examinee would receive a higher ability estimate if the test level ad ministered had been calibrated on less able examinees. Practical implications for "out-of-level" and adaptive testing are discussed.
Component Latent Trait Models for Paragraph Comprehension Tests
Authors: Embretson Susan E. , Wetzel C. Douglas
Published: March 2007

The cognitive characteristics of paragraph compre hension items were studied by comparing models that deal with two general processing stages: text represen tation and response decision. The models that were compared included the prepositional structure of the text (Kintsch & van Dijk, 1978), various counts of surface structure variables and word frequency (Drum et al., 1981), a taxonomy of levels of text questions (Anderson, 1972), and some new models that combine features of these models. Calibrations from the linear logistic latent trait model allowed evaluation of the impact of the cognitive variables on item responses. The results indicate that successful prediction of item difficulty is obtained from models with wide represen tation of both text and decision processing. This sug gests that items can be screened for processing diffi culty prior to being administered to examinees. However, the results also have important implications for test validity in that the two processing stages in volve two different ability dimensions.
Conditional Independence in a Clustered Item Test
Authors: Bell Richard C. , Pattison Philippa E. , Withers Graeme P.
Published: March 2007

Although the assumption of local independence un derlies all latent trait theories in mental testing, it has rarely been empirically examined. In this study of a clustered item test (the Australian Scholastic Aptitude Test), a loglinear modeling approach was used to ex amine the conditional independence of items both within and between clusters. In general, although rela tionships between items were usually positive (as re quired for theories involving monotone item trace lines), conditional independence was not found. De partures from independence were more marked in items within clusters rather than between clusters, and also among items based on mathematical rather than verbal material. Another finding was the tendency for departures from independence to increase with ability (as measured by the score on other items).
Estimation of the Squared Cross-Validity Coefficient in the Context of Best Subset Regression
Authors: Kennedy Eugene
Published: March 2007

A monte carlo study was conducted to examine the performance of several strategies for estimating the squared cross-validity coefficient of a sample regres sion equation in the context of best subset regression. Data were simulated for populations and experimental designs likely to be encountered in practice. The re sults indicated that a formula presented by Stein (1960) could be expected to yield estimates as good as or better than cross-validation, or several other for mula estimators, for the populations considered. Fur ther, the results suggest that sample size may play a much greater role in validity estimation in subset se lection than is true in situations where selection has not occurred. Index terms: Best subset regression, Cross-validity coefficient, Multiple regression, Predic tive validity, Variable selection.
Measuring Attitudes With a Threshold Model Drawing on a Traditional Scaling Concept
Authors: Rost Jürgen
Published: March 2007

This paper presents a generalized Rasch model for measuring attitudes which is based on the concepts of Thurstone's method of successive intervals. The model combines the rating scale and the dispersion model proposed by Andrich and a submodel of the partial credit model proposed by Masters. An estimation pro cedure for unconditional maximum likelihood (ML) es timates is outlined. A recursion formula for the sym metric functions, which is needed for conditional ML procedures, is given. The benefits of the model are il lustrated with a study on students' interest in physics. The fit of different threshold models can be compared using conditional likelihood values and conditional likelihood ratio tests. Index terms: attitude measure ment, conditional likelihood ratio test, partial credit model, Rasch model, rating scales, successive inter vals, threshold model.
Unidimensional IRT Calibration of Compensatory and Noncompensatory Multidimensional Items
Authors: Ackerman Terry A.
Published: March 2007

The characteristics of unidimensional ability esti mates obtained from data generated using multidimen sional compensatory models were compared with esti mates from noncompensatory IRT models. Reckase, Carlson, Ackerman, and Spray (1986) reported that when a compensatory model is used and item diffi culty is confounded with dimensionality, the composi tion of the unidimensional ability estimates differs for different points along the unidimensional ability (θ) scale. Eight datasets (four compensatory, four non compensatory) were generated for four different levels of correlated two-dimensional θs. In each dataset, dif ficulty was confounded with dimensionality and then calibrated using LOGIST and BILOG. The confounding of difficulty and dimensionality affected the BILOG cal ibration of response vectors using matched multidi mensional item parameters more than it affected the LOGIST calibration. As the correlation between the generated two-dimensional θs increased, the response data became more unidimensional as shown in bivar iate plots of the mean θ1 as opposed to the mean of θ2 for specified unidimensional quantiles. Index terms: BILOG, compensatory IRT models, IRT ability estima tion, LOGIST, multidimensional item response theory, noncompensatory IRT models.
Estimating Unrestricted Population Parameters From Restricted Sample Data in Employment Testing
Authors: Burke Michael J. , Normand Jacques , Doran Lucinda I.
Published: March 2007

This study examined the accuracy of Alexander, Alliger, and Hanges' (1984) method for estimating un restricted univariate predictor means and variances from sample data drawn from three populations in two personnel selection contexts: (1) where there was di rect nonstrict truncation on the predictor, and (2) where there was direct strict truncation on the predic tor. In addition, the accuracy of corrected (estimated unrestricted) validity coefficients based on estimated population predictor standard deviations was assessed in the nonstrict truncation condition. In general, there was inconsistency in the accuracy of the population predictor mean and standard deviation estimates ob tained across the present datasets and conditions. Cau tion is advised in the interpretation and reporting of corrected validity coefficients in employment testing based on estimated population predictor standard de viations. Index terms: employment testing, person nel selection, range restriction, true validity estima tion, unrestricted population parameters.
Paradoxes, Contradictions, and Illusions
Authors: Humphreys Lloyd G. , Drasgow Fritz
Published: March 2007

There is no contradiction between a powerful signif icance test based on a difference score and the neces sity for reliable measurement of the dependent mea sure in a controlled experiment. In fact, the former requires the latter. In this paper we review the conclu sions that were drawn by Humphreys and Drasgow (1989) and show that Overall's (1989) "contradic tion" is an illusion derived from imprecise language. Index terms: analysis of covariance, baseline correc tion, control of individual differences, difference scores, measurement of change, reliability of the mar ginal distribution, statistical power, within-group reli abilities.
An Empirical Study of the Effects of Small Datasets and Varying Prior Variances on Item Parameter Estimation in BILOG
Authors: Harwell Michael R. , Janosky Janine E.
Published: March 2007

Long-standing difficulties in estimating item parameters in item response theory (IRT) have been addressed recently with the application of Bayesian estimation models. The potential of these methods is enhanced by their availability in the BILOG com puter program. This study investigated the ability of BILOG to recover known item parameters under varying conditions. Data were simulated for a two- parameter logistic IRT model under conditions of small numbers of examinees and items, and different variances for the prior distributions of discrimina tion parameters. The results suggest that for samples of at least 250 examinees and 15 items, BILOG accurately recovers known parameters using the default variance. The quality of the estimation suffers for smaller numbers of examinees under the default variance, and for larger prior variances in general. This raises questions about how practi tioners select a prior variance for small numbers of examinees and items.
The Knowledge or Random Guessing Model for Matching Tests
Authors: van der Ven A.H.G.S. , Gremmen F.M.
Published: March 2007

The knowledge or random guessing (KRG) model was applied to matching tests. A matching test typically consists of two lists of alternatives. The response alternatives in the first list might consist of several terms to be defined, and the question alternatives in the second list would then consist of the definitions. Examinees are instructed to match the question alternatives to the response alternatives. According to the KRG model, if an examinee knows the correct answer, the correct answer will be chosen; however, if the examinee does not know the correct match, he/she will select the question alternative by guessing at random. Reliability formulas for the number of correct matchings based on the KRG model are given by Zimmerman and Williams (1982). Before applying these formulas, an appropriate statistical test should be used to test whether the model holds. A goodness-of-fit test is developed that is especially sensitive to the assumption of random guessing. Moreover, a simplified version of the model is presented in which the alternatives are ordered according to a Guttman scale. Three examples are given in which the model is applied to real data. It appears that in many cases examinees use coping strategies that violate the assumption of random guessing. A suggestion is made for the develop ment of a somewhat more complex model that takes into account examinee coping strategies and that can be considered an extension of the KRG model.
Test of the Hypothesis That the Intraclass Reliability Coefficient is the Same for Two Measurement Procedures
Authors: Alsawalmeh Yousef M. , Feldt Leonard S.
Published: March 2007

An approximate statistical test is derived for the hypothesis that the intraclass reliability coefficients associated with two measurement procedures are equal. Control of Type 1 error is investigated by comparing empirical sampling distributions of the test statistic with its derived theoretical distribu tion. A numerical illustration of the procedure is also presented.