While rarely discussed, Preacher et al., (2005) mentions one rationale for using EGA is that by removing influences such as unreliability in the middle of the distribution the statistical power will be increased. It is thought that selecting cases from the extremes of the distribution of x may increase the reliability of a scale. What actually has been seen is that EGA usually results in the omission of the most reliable scores, not the least. Using item response theory (IRT) may help make EGA a viable option to increase reliability. Applying IRT permits the appropriate assessment of reliability in different regions of a distribution and recognition of the effects of EGA on relevant variances. There are other times when EGA should not be used. If we are using a non-linear relationship between variables, or a non-linear relationship cannot be ruled out, than EGA should not be used. Another method to reduce the odds of model misspecification is to avoid restricting attention to extreme group’s data, and rather fit differently, possibly more complex models to full-range data. If you are dichotomizing scores, EGA should not be used as it may reduce information even more, and you will lose individual differences along with the possibility to investigate nonlinear relationships. This may be one of the most important factors to consider when using EGA. If used in conjunction with dichotomy, not only could we lose important date, but we may lose statistical power as well. There
The internal consistency of this measurement used the coefficient alpha. The coefficients were all over .5, but they each had various ranges. Because the scale had such varying ranges, one could wonder if this could indicate a problem with errors? The VMQ shows an overall internal dependability and a low level of SEM. The internal consistency does surpass the requirements for a reliable instrument. According to authors of the VMQ (n.d), “…the scales approximate or exceed acceptable levels of internal consistency” (pg. 16). However, it is important to note that the scores of this test are not normally distributed, which impacts the standard deviations of the scores. While the deviation of the scores is acceptable, the test results did not have an extremely high correlation. The VMQ also demonstrated the validity scales having lower correlations (Values and Motives Questionnaire, n.d). One weakness of the reliability to consider is that the test was only compared to other tests that examined values. It did not compare values to those of other countries/cultures. Specific cultures and/or family systems have specific values that are instilled in them throughout the years. It would be beneficial to use this instrument in comparison to different demographic backgrounds. In doing this, one will be able to gain insight into how these differences can affect the results
According to the technical manual, Test Validity can be defined as the degree to which empirical evidence and theory support the use and interpretation of the test (Schrank & McGrew, 2001). The main constructs and measures attained by the WJ III are resultant from the Cattell Horn Carrol theory of the cognitive abilities (CHC theory). Content validity, which is how well a test measures the behaviors it was intended to measure, was accompanied through requirement of a master test and cluster-content revision blueprint. Each cluster of the Woodcock- Johnson COG battery was created to heighted the range of validity measurement (Schrank & McGrew, 2001). This was done by providing two qualitatively separate narrow abilities included in the broad ability, as defined by CHC theory. The WJ III ACH was also knowledgeable by CHC theory. In order to strengthen
Reliability generalization examines reliability of scores from tests and detect the causes of measurement error (Kline, 2005).
The issue of cultural bias in intelligence tests sparks debates every time the latter is created or administered, resulting to many researches into how the reliability and validity of an ability test may differ when assessed on groups from different cultural-linguistic backgrounds. The aim of this study is to test the reliability and validity of the PSYGAT Verbal IQ Test on university students from English-speaking backgrounds (ESB) and non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB) in relation to the Queendom Verbal IQ Test and Cultural Fair IQ Test. 445 third year psychology students aged 19 to 62 were involved in this
Missing values were replaced by the average of all the other items in that scale for that individual respondent. Analyses were conducted to determine if the mean scores for individual items were significantly different (less than or greater) from zero, the neutral response value—signifying either statistically significant disagreement or agreement with an item, respectively. Next, a factor analysis was performed to determine if similar items clustered together into subscales. Descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) and one sample, two-tailed t-tests were calculated for each resulting subscale (Butler, 2010).
spread of scores from the mean (Burns & Grove, 2007). The larger the value of the standard deviation for study variables, the greater the dispersion or variability of the scores for the variable in a
When multiple people are given assessments of some kind or are the subjects of some test, then similar people under the same circumstances should lead to scores that are similar or duplicates ("Types Of Reliability", 2011). This is the idea of inter-rater reliability. Another mode of reliability is the administration of the same test among different participants and expecting the same or similar results ("Types Of Reliability", 2011). This is known as Test-retest reliability. This method of measurement might be used to make determinations about the effectiveness of a school exam or personality test ("Types Of Reliability", 2011). Surveys and other methods of research present the appropriate avenues for data collection.
Kulas and Stachowski (2008) summed up the reasons for the “false middle” as the “middle response category being at least occasionally utilized as a ‘‘dumping ground” for not applicable, uncertain, indifferent or ambivalent response orientations”. They also recommended including a non-applicable (N/A) response option to help to distinguish the ‘‘dumping ground” orientation from ‘‘valid” middle category responses. Much has been written about the effects of including a middle-point or “neutral option”, however, when the data has already collected, it is imperative that a decision is made on how to analyse it. This is the propose of this paper: to show some options on how to deal with excess middle responses, when the middle seems to have been
The initial item pool consisted of 140 items on a five point likert scale. Hinkin (1998) suggests that the statements of the items should be as simple and short as possible, something that Glick and Fiske (1996) did seem to keep in mind. Double-barreled and leading questions / statements also seemed to be avoided for the most part. Hinkin also
The manual discusses internal consistency and test-retest in terms of reliability. Internal consistency is measuring how scores on individual items relate to each other or to the test as a whole. In two subsample studies, high internal consistency was found. In the first study, with a mixed sample of 160 outpatients, Beck, Epstein et al. (1988) reported that the BAI had high internal consistency reliability (Cronbach coefficient alpha = .92), and Fydrich et al. found a slightly higher level of internal consistency (coefficient alpha = .94). This means that the items on the BAI are all measuring the same variable, anxiety.
to create scale scores for each domain (Ware, 2000). Research on the SF-36 has concluded that
However, for the testing phases, rather than administering and scoring TOPS formally, Gillam et al., (1999) recommend a qualitative 6-point scale (0-5) rating the completeness, amount of information informative, and accuracy of a response, using even-numbered items for pre-testing, and the odd numbered items for post-testing. For the
Testable Hypothesis 1: It is hypothesized that individuals with higher scores on the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale will have lower scores on scales measuring constructs related to internalizing dysfunction.
581-586, 2011). This addition of subtest and composite scores allows for an examination of strengths and weaknesses in individuals and when used in combination with other assessment instruments, like the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test Third Edition (WIAT-III), an individuals general cognitive ability as calculated by the WAIS-IV can be compared to additional more specific areas of functioning to distinguish unforeseen patterns of strengths or deficits (Climie & Rostad, pp. 581-586,
Alternate form reliability was computed by administering two parallel forms of the test (Form A and B), both including the 19 subtests of the final edition. Validity was established by administering one of five alternate measures of cognitive ability and academic performance to participants. Standardization data was collected over approximately one calendar year (August 2012 to July 2013). Two sets of sample data were derived, age norm (n = 2,050) and grade norm (n = 2,600), with data for grade norms collected in the fall and spring to obtain expected skill levels at those times of the year. These groups, however, do not yield a total sample size of 4,650 participants; the age and grade norms were calibrated using data from the students at a specific grade level who were of the expected age for that level. This procedure yielded approximately 1,300 students in the fall (grade-based) normative sample and 1,300 students in the spring normative sample. Likewise, there were 1,025 females and 1,025 males in the age norms sample. The KTEA-3 normative sample was stratified and matched the population in the United States, based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 2012 one-year period estimates (Ruggles, Alexander, Genadek, Goeken, Schroeder, & Sobek, 2010; although citation is 2010, reported census data are from