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Abstract

Researchers frequently employ outdated statistical procedures to evaluate their measure’s psychometric properties or simply fail to capture the full potential of the data. This special issue reviews the utility of several statistical approaches researchers can apply to uncover the factor structure, test for measurement equivalence across groups, and evaluate internal consistency reliability. Specifically, these manuscripts review and demonstrate the following: (a) statistical and methodological decisions when evaluating measures; (b) how to best model the latent constructs and factor structure; (c) methods to assess measurement equivalence across groups; and (d) procedures to assessing instrument reliability. This special issue also encourages researchers to take a deeper exploration into their measure’s psychometric properties and carefully consider their modeling framework and statistical assumptions.

Keywords

factor analysis measurement equivalence structural equation modeling item response theory reliability

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References

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Schmitt, T.A. , & Sass, D.A. ( 2011). Rotation criteria and hypothesis testing for exploratory factor analysis: Implications for factor pattern loadings and interfactor correlations. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 71, 95-113.

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Walker, C.M. ( 2011). What’s the DIF? Why differential item functioning analyses are an important part of instrument development and validation. Special issue in the Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment.

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Introduction to the Special Issue: Moving Beyond Traditional Psychometric Approaches

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