Factor Analysis of the KeyMath—Revised Normative Update Form A

Abstract

The factor structure of the KeyMath—Revised Normative Update (KMR-NU) Form A was analyzed using data from a sample of 130 students. The KMR-NU is composed of 13 subtests that are purported to measure three important aspects of math ability: Basic Concepts, Operations, and Applications. A confirmatory factor analysis employing scaled scores from the 13 subtests was used to evaluate the model fit of the hypothesized three-factor model. The results of the analysis did not support the three-factor model. Follow-up exploratory factor analyses were conducted to determine if other models might provide a better model fit for the data. The results were consistent with the only factor-analytic study conducted with a previous version of the KMR-NU (Walker & Arnault, 1991), which suggested that the Total Score was the only score that should be used.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, & National Council on Measurement in Education. (1999). Standards for education and psychological testing . Washington, DC: American Educational Research Association.

American Guidance Service. ASSIST for the KeyMath—R/NU. (1998). [Windows computer software]. Circle Pines, MN: Author.

Arbuckle, J.L. (2003). AMOS (Version 5.0) [Computer software]. Chicago: Small Waters Corporation.

Bachor, D.G. (1998—1999). KeyMath—Revised: Normative updates for the United States and Canada. Diagnostique, 24, 161—181.

Bentler, P.M. (1990). Comparative fit indices in structural models. Psychological Bulletin, 88, 588—606.

Bentler, P.M. (1993). EQS: Structural equations program manual (Version 4.0) [Computer software and manual]. Los Angeles: BMDP Statistical Software.

Bentler, P.M. , & Bonett, D.G. (1980). Significance tests and goodness-of-fit in the analysis of covariance structures. Psychological Bulletin, 88, 588—606.

Byrne, B.M. (2001). Structural equation modeling with AMOS: Basic concepts, applications, and programming. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

Connolly, A.J. (1988). KeyMath—Revised: A diagnostic inventory of essential mathematics. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.

10.

Connolly, A.J. (1998). KeyMath—Revised Normative Update: A diagnostic inventory of essential mathematics. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.

11.

CTB/McGraw-Hill. (1989). The comprehensive tests of basic skills. Monterey, CA: Author.

12.

Gorsuch, R.L. (1983). Factor analysis (2nd ed.). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

13.

Green, S.B. , Akey, T.M. , Flemming, K.K. , Hershberger, S.C. , & Marquis, J.C. (1997). Effect of the number of scale points on chi-square fit indices in confirmatory factor analysis. Structural Equation Modeling, 4(2), 108—120.

14.

Hair, J.F. , Anderson, R.E. , Tatham, R.L. , & Black, W.C. (1998). Multivariate data analysis (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

15.

Hoover, H.D. , Hieronymus, A.N. , Frisbie, D.A. , & Dunbar, S.B. (1993). The Iowa tests of basic skills. Chicago: Riverside.

16.

Hu, L.-T. , & Bentler, P.M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 6, 1—55.

17.

Kline, R.B. (1998). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling. New York: Guilford.

18.

MacCallum, R.C. , Browne, M.W. , & Sugawara, H.M. (1996). Power analysis and determination of sample size for covariance structure modeling. Psychological Methods, 1, 130—149.

19.

Nasser, F. , & Wisenbaker, J. (2003). A Monte Carlo study investigating the impact of item parceling on measures of fit in confirmatory factor analysis . Educational and Psychological Measurement, 63(5), 729—757.

20.

Prentice Hall. (2005). SPSS (Version 13.0) [Windows computer software] . Chicago: Author.

21.

Salvia, J. , & Ysseldyke, J.E. (2004). Assessment in special and inclusive education (9th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

22.

Sattler, J.M. (2001). Assessment of children: Behavioral and clinical applications (4th ed.). La Mesa, CA: Jerome M. Sattler.

23.

Steiger, J.H. (1990). Structural model evaluation and modification: An interval estimation approach. Multivariate Behavioral Research , 25, 173—180.

24.

Tucker, L.R. , & Lewis, C. (1973). A reliability coefficient for maximum likelihood factor analysis. Psychometrika, 38, 1—10.

25.

Walker, D.W. , & Arnault, L.S. (1991). Factorial validity of the KeyMath—Revised . Diagnostique, 16, 77—83.