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This study is an investigation of the validity of the Online Test Anxiety Inventory (OΝ‐TAI) for adult students. The scale contained the 20 items of the Test Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, 1980), together with five computer anxiety items, all rephrased so as to pertain to online test anxiety. The scale was administered to a large sample of Greek and Cypriot postgraduate students and Rasch measurement was used for the investigation of its psychometric properties. After original analyses, one of the computer anxiety items was removed, leaving the final instrument with a total of 24 items. Results showed that the scale is unidimensional thus supporting that computer anxiety can indeed be considered a component of online test anxiety. All evidence collected supports the high degree of construct validity of the scale. Furthermore, results verify that the 4‐point scale used is optimal. Additional research, with adult student populations from other countries, with the use of the OΝ‐TAI is suggested for the purpose of broader use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intelligence Scale (HIS) is the first intelligence scale that has been developed and normed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aimed to examine the refinement, validity, and reliability of HIS in upper elementary grades using the Rasch model. A total of 4,301 students (34.3% Male; 65.7% Female) from grade 4 to 6 (32.1% grade 4; 33.7% grade 5; 34.2% grade 6) were administered to the HIS. The confirmatory factor analysis was first conducted to verify the fitness of the one-factor model of the HIS. The results of validity showed strong correlation coefficients between the HIS and the Aurora-g battery (0.83) and the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM; 0.86). Moreover, the results of the developmental trends demonstrated that raw scores of the HIS increase with age and grade relatively constantly across composite scores. Unidimensionality was confirmed through the Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Principal Component Analysis of Residuals (PCAR). The low eigenvalues of the first contrast were below 2, and additionally, the infit and outfit mean squares ranged from 0.88 to 1.14 and 0.84 to 1.14. Rasch's person reliability result of 0.62 was acceptable reliability. The results provided strong support for the validity and reliability of using the Hamdan Intelligence Scale in the UAE environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article builds on two previous ones describing revisions of the VIA-Youth. The new revised version consists of 98 items. The inventory is considered appropriate for ages 8–17. A unique aspect of the revision is that the two items on the spirituality scale differ for youth ages 8–12 (VIA-Y-1) and 13–17 (VIA-Y-2). Participants in this study consisted of 94,487 youth who completed the revised VIA-Youth online or through two school districts. Unidimensionality is established for all 24 character strength scales, though doing so required freeing a small set of error covariances. Configural and metric invariance for age and gender was achieved for all scales, and scalar invariance was supported by age for all scales except for spirituality. This series of three articles presents the most thoroughly vetted measure of positive personality in youth to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study extends a previous one revising the VIA-Youth. Goals of the revision included reducing length and extending age range down to 8. After an initial revision, further discussion suggested the need for a more secular version of the spirituality scale. Based on evidence of changes in the understanding of spirituality during adolescence, separate sets of candidate items were generated for ages 8–12 and 13–17 with two overlapping items. The revised materials were administered to 94,487 youth online and through two school districts. Retaining the two overlapping items in both sets did not reduce fit. The result is two versions of the inventory for ages 8–12 (VIA-Y-1) and 13–17 (VIA-Y-2) that differ only on two items included in the spirituality scale. These offer a measure of spirituality in youth that is developmentally sensitive without relying on items referencing a religious framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The VIA-Youth (Park & Peterson, 2006) is perhaps the most commonly administered youth measure of the Peterson and Seligman (2004) character strengths. This article is the first in a series describing revision of the VIA-Youth, with the goals of making the development process more transparent, targeting scale unidimensionality, achieving measurement invariance, and extending the age range to 8–17. A sample of 286 youth in three countries completed 198 candidate items, from which a 98-item inventory was developed. Ratings of strengths were provided for 250 of the youth by 202 parents and 164 teachers. The relative size of relationships between informants was related to youth age, and to ratings of the observability and evaluativeness of the strengths, in the expected direction. The findings suggest youth self-report of character strengths and ratings by significant others are not highly related, but are consistent with prior studies of informant convergence in youth ratings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study established the unidimensionality of the Ondo State Mathematics Unified Promotion Examination (MUPE). It examined the difficulty and discrimination indices of the mathematics examination items and determined their reliability and validity. The study population was all 2019/2020 public Senior Secondary School two (SS II) students in Ondo State. The study's descriptive survey research design comprised 609 students, selected using a multi-stage sampling procedure. The instrument for data collection was 2019 Ondo State MUPE items, which comprised 34 multiple-choice test items. Stout's test of essential unidimensional and reliability tests were used to analyse research questions. The findings revealed that Ondo State MUPE items violated the assumption of unidimensionality because p<0.05; hence, it was multidimensional in nature, implying that the items measured more than a single trait. It was observed that, out of 34 items of Ondo MUPE, 28 items, representing 82 %, were moderately difficult, and they discriminated correctly. Six items, representing 18 %, functioned poorly regarding discrimination and difficulty indices. The study recommended that teachers organize more standardized internal examinations, such as mock examinations, so their students can adequately prepare for external examinations. The Ondo state government should invest in conferences where examination experts are updated on areas of improvement in item construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundCommunities That Care (CTC) is an evidence-based community change strategy for supporting healthy youth development. One of its key elements is the development of a community profile to identify and prioritise risk factors for health and behavioural problems in adolescents based on the CTC Youth Survey. The strategy was originally developed and evaluated in the United States. An adapted version of the survey has been used in Germany since its first implementation in 2008. However, the dimensionality and validity of the adapted risk factor scales have not yet been evaluated. Therefore, this study aimed to confirm the assumed unidimensional structure and to establish the concurrent criterion validity of each risk factor.MethodsA sample of 1,911 adolescents attending grades six to eleven in Lower-Saxony, Germany, was used to evaluate 23 risk factor scales of the German CTC Youth Survey covering the domains peer/individual, family, school, and community. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the dimensional structure of all risk factors with sufficient item numbers. Goodness of fit was determined using CFI, SRMR, and RMSEA. Latent regression analysis tested the concurrent criterion validity of all unidimensional risk factors. For this, violent and delinquent behaviour, substance use, and depressive symptomatology were regressed on each risk factor.ResultsAll evaluable risk factors demonstrated acceptable to good model fit regarding unidimensionality and predicted violent and delinquent behaviour, and substance use better than depressive symptomatology. Regarding the peer/individual risk factors, there are particularly high correlations with violent and delinquent behaviour, and substance use. In contrast, two risk factors were not correlated with substance use, whilst two other risk factors were not correlated with depressive symptomatology.ConclusionOverall, the results indicate that most risk factors demonstrate unidimensionality and are valid in terms of concurrent criterion validity. Although some risk factors were not correlated with every outcome, they still predicted most outcomes, suggesting that the CTC Youth Survey is a viable tool for communities to assess their community risk profile. Risk factors that did not demonstrate unidimensionality or concurrent criterion validity should be monitored in future surveys and interpreted with caution until further evidence is available.

Hamdan Intelligence Scale (HIS) is the first intelligence scale that has been developed and normed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aimed to examine the refinement, validity, and reliability of HIS in upper elementary grades using the Rasch model. A total of 4,301 students (34.3% Male; 65.7% Female) from grade 4 to 6 (32.1% grade 4; 33.7% grade 5; 34.2% grade 6) were administered to the HIS. The confirmatory factor analysis was first conducted to verify the fitness of the one-factor model of the HIS. The results of validity showed strong correlation coefficients between the HIS and the Aurora-g battery (0.83) and the Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM; 0.86). Moreover, the results of the developmental trends demonstrated that raw scores of the HIS increase with age and grade relatively constantly across composite scores. Unidimensionality was confirmed through the Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Principal Component Analysis of Residuals (PCAR). The low eigenvalues of the first contrast were below 2, and additionally, the infit and outfit mean squares ranged from 0.88 to 1.14 and 0.84 to 1.14. Rasch’s person reliability result of 0.62 was acceptable reliability. The results provided strong support for the validity and reliability of using the Hamdan Intelligence Scale in the UAE environment.

Constructing proofs for the limit using the formal definition induces a high cognitive load. Common assessment tools, like cognitive load scales, lack specificity for the concept of limits. This research aims to validate an instrument tailored to assess cognitive load in students focused on the formal definition of limits, addressing the need for diverse strategies in education. The research employs a quantitative survey design with a Rasch model approach, utilizing a data collection instrument in the form of a questionnaire. Subsequently, the data are analyzed by focusing on three aspects: (1) item fit to the Rasch model, (2) unidimensionality, and (3) rating scale. A total of 315 students from three private universities in Banten participated as research respondents. The findings of this study affirm the validity of the cognitive load scale centered on the formal definition of limit, meeting the stringent standards set by Rasch modeling. Additionally, the results of the study provide evidence of the scale’s adherence to the monotonic principle of the Rasch model. These outcomes contribute to a comprehensive understanding of cognitive load in the context of learning formal definition of limit, providing a solid foundation for instructional design and assessment strategies.

The traditional points system and subsequent Grade Point Average (GPA) in education perpetuates an evaluation of academic performance which reflects arbitrary weighting of assignments and/or assessments. As such, GPAs which are calculated using a traditional points system are not unidimensional in their design. The baseball batting and slugging percentage, which serves as established metrics for performance evaluations among baseball players, better reflects unidimensionality. In essence, this paper puts forth an analysis and discussion which posits that baseball batting average and slugging percentage can serve as an example for how unidimensionality can become more prevalent in educational assessments, especially as it relates to the traditional points system and GPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study assessed the dimensionality of the Chemistry Teachers’ Effectiveness Scale (CTES) in Osun State, Nigeria secondary schools. Also, the study determined the extent to which CTES satisfies the unidimensionality assumption of the Item Response Theory model. It determined the extent to which the observed unidimensionality of CTES was confirmed when the scalability of the individual items and the overall scale was assessed. The study employed a survey research design. Thirty-five (35) Chemistry teachers who were rated by their Heads of Departments and Chemistry students made up the sample for the study. A multistage sampling procedure was employed for choosing the sample in two phases-: validation (conducted in Oyo State), and pilot testing (conducted in Osun State). A self-developed research instrument titled "Chemistry Teachers Effectiveness Scale (CTES)" was used for data collection. Items of the CTES were rated on a four-point Likert-type scale described under 1 = very poor, 2 = poor, 3 = moderate, and 4 = good. The Chemistry teachers’ effectiveness scale started with the initial version of 206 items, and was reduced to 96 items after validation. The 96-item second version of CTES was reduced to 62 items after pilot testing and reliability analysis (giving Cronbach Alpha coefficient of 0.92). A thorough and more robust statistical analysis was conducted on the 62-item third version of CTES. Mokken Scaling Analysis (MSA) was used to analyse the data via the Mokken package. Results showed that all the items of CTES have scalability coefficients within the 0.20 and 0.39 range and violated the Item Response Theory (IRT) unidimensionality assumption. The study concluded that items of the CTES are multi-dimensional.

Abstract Background The epidemiological investigation and surveillance of disability requires well-constructed, invariant, and, if possible, exchangeable measures. However, the current or recommended measures have not been thoroughly investigated with respect to these issues. Here we examined the dimensional structure and invariance of four measures across sociodemographic groups: Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), Budapest Initiative Mark 2 (BI-M2) and Washington Group on Disability Statistics Short Set (WG-SS), and Global Activity Limitation Indicator (GALI). Methods We used data from three large nationwide representative surveys conducted in France between 2008 and 2014. The surveys included these four measures and classical and modern approaches (correlations, principal component analysis, Rasch modeling) were used to assess their dimensional structure as well as their invariance through differential item functioning (DIF) for sociodemographic characteristics. Polytomous logistic regression models were used to assess gradients in health inequalities associated with these measures. Results For many items of ADL, IADL, and BI-M2/WG-SS, we consistently observed disordered response thresholds, rejection of unidimensionality, and DIF evidence for sociodemographic characteristics across the survey samples. Health inequality gradients were erratic. In addition, it was impossible to identify a common continuum for GALI, ADL, IADL, and BI-M2/WG-SS or their constituent items. Conclusion This study warns against the current practice of investigating disability in epidemiology using measures that are unsuitable for epidemiological use, incommensurable, and inadequate regarding the basic requisites of dimensionality and invariance. Developing invariant measures and equating them along a common continuum to enlarge the common bases of measurement should therefore be a priority.

We examined the unidimensionality and Rasch reliability of both Jenkinson's and MacIsaac's eight-item short versions of the Stroke Impact Scale (SF-SIS), a questionnaire for assessing overall health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study was a secondary data analysis in which 263 persons with stroke completed the SIS. The 263 persons, on average, had age of 60 years, mild stroke, and moderate disability of self-care. The unidimensionality of both versions was validated via testing of model fitting and principal component analysis (PCA) of residuals using the Rasch analysis to determine the Rasch reliability and measures. The eight items in both SF-SIS versions met the criteria of infit and outfit MNSQ (<1.4 and >0.6), indicating good data-model fit. The PCA showed that no dominant factors existed in the residuals of the items. The person reliability of Jenkinson's and MacIsaac's SF-SIS versions was 0.80 and 0.79, respectively. The Rasch measures (i.e., person measure in logits) ranged from −1.06 to 1.87 in Jenkinson's SF-SIS and −0.82 to 1.88 in MacIsaac's version. The unidimensionality of both versions was supported. The Rasch measures of both appear valid for representing overall HRQOL levels. Both versions also showed acceptable reliability for research purposes. The unidimensionality was justified for both versions (Jenkinson's and MacIsaac's eight-item short-versions of Stroke Impact Scale). The Rasch scores of both versions appear valid for representing overall health-related quality of life. Both versions showed acceptable reliability for research purposes, but not sufficiently reliable for clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The epidemiological investigation and surveillance of disability requires well-constructed, invariant, and, if possible, exchangeable measures. However, the current or recommended measures have not been thoroughly investigated with respect to these issues. Here we examined the dimensional structure and invariance of four measures across sociodemographic groups: Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), Budapest Initiative Mark 2 (BI-M2) and Washington Group on Disability Statistics Short Set (WG-SS), and Global Activity Limitation Indicator (GALI). Methods: We used data from three large nationwide representative surveys conducted in France between 2008 and 2014. The surveys included these four measures and classical and modern approaches (correlations, principal component analysis, Rasch modeling) were used to assess their dimensional structure as well as their invariance through differential item functioning (DIF) for sociodemographic characteristics. Polytomous logistic regression models were used to assess gradients in health inequalities associated with these measures. Results: For many items of ADL, IADL, and BI-M2/WG-SS, we consistently observed disordered response thresholds, rejection of unidimensionality, and DIF evidence for sociodemographic characteristics across the survey samples. Health inequality gradients were erratic. In addition, it was impossible to identify a common continuum for GALI, ADL, IADL, and BI-M2/WG-SS or their constituent items. Conclusion: This study warns against the current practice of investigating disability in epidemiology using measures that are unsuitable for epidemiological use, incommensurable, and inadequate regarding the basic requisites of dimensionality and invariance. Developing invariant measures and equating them along a common continuum to enlarge the common bases of measurement should therefore be a priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The population relationship between coefficient alpha and scale reliability is studied in the widely used setting of unidimensional multicomponent measuring instruments. It is demonstrated that for any set of component loadings on the common factor, regardless of the extent of their inequality, the discrepancy between alpha and reliability can be arbitrarily small in any considered population and hence practically ignorable. In addition, the set of parameter values where this discrepancy is negligible is shown to possess the same dimensionality as that of the underlying model parameter space. The article contributes to the measurement and related literature by pointing out that (a) approximate or strict loading identity is not a necessary condition for the utility of alpha as a trustworthy index of scale reliability, and (b) coefficient alpha can be a dependable reliability measure with any extent of inequality in the component loadings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG) is a commonly used self-report measure in psycho-oncology, best supportive care, and palliative medicine. However, existing validation studies yielded conflicting results regarding the structural validity. This study provides a psychometric review and conceptual replication of the ICG latent structure to test the hypothesis that existing studies overfit unreliable sources of variance, which overshadow the unidimensionality of the ICG. All proposed latent models identified in the psychometric review were tested in a series of confirmatory and exploratory structural equation models. Specifically, at least five to six latent intercorrelated factors were necessary to reach acceptable model fit. However, a general CG factor accounted for most variance and ICG sum scores showed predictable associations with anxiety and depressive symptoms, which suggests that the ICG is essentially unidimensional. There are indications that other measures of pathological grief show similar inconsistencies. Overall, potentially emerging subfacets of the ICG should not be interpreted as distinct "symptom clusters." If time constraints are an issue as is often the case in clinical research, complicated grief may just be measured by a reduced item set without a significant loss of information or complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present the Academic Results Datasets Predictor (ARDP), for missing academic results datasets, based on chi-squared expected calculation, positional clustering, progressive approximation of relative residuals, and positional averages of the data in a sampled population. Academic results datasets are data originating from inside academic institutions’ results repositories. It is a technique designed specifically for predicting missing academic results. Since the whole essence of data mining is to elicit useful information and gain knowledge-driven insights into datasets, ARDP positions data explorer at this advantageous perspective. ARDP is committed to solve missing academic results dataset problems more quickly over and above what currently obtains. PARD is computed by leveraging on the averages of neighbouring values. The predictor was implemented using Python, and the results show that it is admissible in a minimum of up to 85 percent accurate predictions of the sampled cases. It has been verified that ARDP shows a tendency toward greater precision in providing the best solution to the problems of predictions of missing academic results datasets in universities.

Reliability as one the psychometric properties of a research and measurement instrument is very desirable in research, under the classical test theory(CTT). One group of such reliability measures is that of internal consistency of a scale. Cronbach Alpha and Kuder- Richardson formula 20 are measures of internal consistencies. In many texts, authorities specify that Kuder-Richardson formula 20 should be applied when test items are dichotomously scored while Cronbach Alpha should be applied when test items are not scored dichotomously. These guide lines are religiously adhered to by both researchers and measurement practitioners. Both reliability estimates are recognized as valid measures of internal constituency. In research, an informed choice has to be made about which one to apply, particularly, when only one of them has to be applied. These guidelines are seen as conditions that validate the use of each of them. These specifications are erroneously interpreted. A score is a score whether dichotomous or not. This paper examined both the theoretical and empirical equivalence of these two estimates, for tests of the same length and for varying test lengths. To demonstrate the empirical equivalence of Cronbach Alpha and KR-20, 65 biology achievement tests of the same length (40 items), were administered on 65 samples of senior secondary two students, consisting of 60 students selected from 36 public secondary schools, in Calabar Education zone of Cross River State, Nigeria. Both the Cronbach Alpha and KR-20 were estimated for each test and for the 65 samples. Another test of 100 items adapted from the 2018 and 2019 WAEC-SSCE English Language objective test, was administered on a sample of 300 students. Both reliability measures were estimated for varied lengths of the test, by randomly removing five(5)items at a time. This resulted in 19 sub-tests. The resulting reliability coefficients were compared using the related sample t-test while repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the reliability coefficients under the influence test length, measured in terms of number of items. The results showed that there is significant difference between Cronbach Alpha and KR-20(t=4.022, p=.000). The correlation between KR-20 and Cronbach alpha is positive and highly significant(r=.944& .999, p=.000). Test length has significant influence on the difference between KR-20 and Cronbach alpha reliability estimates (F=1372.074, p=.000). The implications of these results for tests developers and users are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article outlines a readily applicable procedure for point and interval estimation of the population discrepancy between reliability and the popular Cronbach's coefficient alpha for unidimensional multi-component measuring instruments with uncorrelated errors, which are widely used in behavioral and social research. The method is developed within the latent variable modeling framework and can be used to evaluate the degree to which coefficient alpha underestimates scale reliability in empirical measurement research employing such instruments. The approach is straight-forwardly utilized with readily available software and is illustrated using a numerical example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critiques of coefficient alpha as an estimate of scale reliability are widespread in the literature. However, the continuous overuse of this statistic in mathematics education research suggests a disconnection between theory and practice. As such, this article argues, in a non-technical way, for the limited usefulness of coefficient alpha, its overuse, and its alternatives in estimating scale reliability. Coefficient alpha gives information only about the degree of the interrelatedness of a set of items that measures a construct. Contrary to the widely circulated misconceptions in mathematics education research, a high coefficient alpha value does not mean the instrument is reliable, and it does not imply the instrument measures a single construct. Coefficient alpha can only be dependable as an estimate of reliability under verifiable and restrictive conditions. I expose these conditions and present steps for their verification in empirical studies. I discuss some alternatives to coefficient alpha with references to non-technical articles where worked examples and programming codes are available. I hope this exposition will influence the practices of mathematics education researchers regarding estimation of scale reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to examine the dimensionality of the BCFQOL-AR using Rasch analysis. Method: The sample consisted of 320 families having a member with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Rasch analysis was used to validate the dimensionality of the scale. The participants were from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Results: The BCFQOL-AR 25-item scale was multidimensional. Rasch analyses support the unidimensionality of the five subscales. There were no indicators of differential item function for any of the items, regardless of sex or age. Conclusion: The BCFQOL-AR is a multidimensional scale that measures families with members who are satisfied with their quality of life. Therefore, obtaining a total score at the subscale level is supported and showed that each of the five subscales of the BCFQOL can be used alone. This study partially supports the practices used with other versions of the scale, by providing the statistical base, where means were used at the subscale level in different countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critiques of coefficient alpha as an estimate of scale reliability are widespread in the literature. However, the continuous overuse of this statistic in mathematics education research suggests a disconnection between theory and practice. As such, this article argues, in a non-technical way, for the limited usefulness of coefficient alpha, its overuse, and its alternatives in estimating scale reliability. Coefficient alpha gives information only about the degree of the interrelatedness of a set of items that measures a construct. Contrary to the widely circulated misconceptions in mathematics education research, a high coefficient alpha value does not mean the instrument is reliable, and it does not imply the instrument measures a single construct. Coefficient alpha can only be dependable as an estimate of reliability under verifiable and restrictive conditions. I expose these conditions and present steps for their verification in empirical studies. I discuss some alternatives to coefficient alpha with references to non-technical articles where worked examples and programming codes are available. I hope this exposition will influence the practices of mathematics education researchers regarding estimation of scale reliability.

AimThis study aimed to examine the dimensionality of the BCFQOL-AR using Rasch analysis.MethodThe sample consisted of 320 families having a member with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Rasch analysis was used to validate the dimensionality of the scale. The participants were from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.ResultsThe BCFQOL-AR 25-item scale was multidimensional. Rasch analyses support the unidimensionality of the five subscales. There were no indicators of differential item function for any of the items, regardless of sex or age.ConclusionThe BCFQOL-AR is a multidimensional scale that measures families with members who are satisfied with their quality of life. Therefore, obtaining a total score at the subscale level is supported and showed that each of the five subscales of the BCFQOL can be used alone. This study partially supports the practices used with other versions of the scale, by providing the statistical base, where means were used at the subscale level in different countries.

Aspect and Aktionsart are both categories that codify information on the internal temporal structure of states of affairs. In traditional studies on aspectuality, a very strict distinction between them is usually made. Aspect is an obligatory grammatical (morphosyntactic) verbal category, which must therefore be expressed in all languages whose verbal systems allow it. Aktionsart is a lexical verbal category and is not subject to such restraints in individual languages. This “bidimensional” perspective – widespread in Linguistics and even more so in Romance Linguistics (see, among many others, Bertinetto 1986; Smith 1991; Squartini 1998) – contrasts with a less common “unidimensional” approach (De Miguel 1999; Verkuyl 1972, 1993). The latter advocates the semantic identity of what, in terms of the linguistic analysis of individual languages, is considered either grammatical or lexical aspect.In this paper, an analysis of aspectuality as a semantic-functional category comprising both aspect and Aktionsart will be introduced by means of a new unidimensional model, which has an onomasiological background and is based on frame semantics (see Dessì Schmid 2014, 2019). In accordance with many studies on cognitive semantics, aspectuality is defined as the structuring of states of affairs through delimitation or bounding (see, e.g., Smith 1997; Bickel 1997; Langacker 1987, 2006; Talmy 1996, 2000); this delimitation principle is further developed and applied in a highly extended and structured way.The paper will focus on French examples but will also consider some data from other Romance languages, although it is applicable to any individual language.

The PHQ-9 has become a measure of reference in depression research and clinical practice. However, the issue of the PHQ-9's unidimensionality has not been fully elucidated, and the usability of the PHQ-9's total score requires clarification. In this study, we examined the dimensionality, scalability, and monotonicity properties of the PHQ-9 as well as the scale's total-score reliability. We did so based on exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) bifactor analysis and Mokken scale analysis (MSA). We relied on a total of 58,272 participants (63% female; Mage = 43, SDage = 13) from 29 samples involving seven different countries (e.g., Germany, the U.S.) and five different languages (e.g., German, English). We found no concerning deviations from measurement invariance for our ESEM bifactor model, neither across samples nor across sexes, age groups, and languages. The PHQ-9 met the requirements for essential unidimensionality in the pooled sample and across sex-, age-, and language-based subsamples. In each case, the general factor was strong (e.g., factor loadings ranged from 0.725 to 0.893 in the pooled sample) and Omega Hierarchical values exceeded 0.900. The correlations between the general factor and the observed total scores were large (≥0.952). Our MSA, including multilevel MSA, revealed that the PHQ-9's scalability is satisfactory. No monotonicity violation was detected, suggesting that the scale's total score accurately orders respondents on the latent Depression variable. Total-score reliability was good. This study provides robust evidence that the PHQ-9 can be used as a unidimensional measure of depressive symptoms by researchers and practitioners. Public Significance Statement: Because depression is a widespread condition with potentially lethal consequences, assessing depressive symptoms reliably and validly is of critical importance. This study indicates, with an unprecedented level of confidence, that researchers and practitioners are justified in employing the PHQ-9 as a unidimensional measure of depressive symptoms based on the scale's total score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: The Unidimensional Fatigue Impact Scale (U-FIS) was developed for use in a multiple sclerosis population. The aim was to determine whether the U-FIS is a valid tool for measuring the impact of fatigue in Crohn's disease (CD). Method: CD patients completed the U-FIS as part of a validation study of the Crohn's Life Impact Questionnaire (CLIQ). Data were analyzed according to Rasch measurement theory (RMT). Results: Two hundred sixty-one completed U-FIS questionnaires were available for analysis. After rescoring the items to resolve disordered thresholds, all 22 items showed acceptable RMT fit. However, there was considerable local item dependency (LID). Conclusion: The U-FIS did not provide unidimensional measurement in a sample of CD patients due to high levels of LID. Combining the three FIS outcomes into a single measure was not justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common methods for determining the number of latent dimensions underlying an item set include eigenvalue analysis and examination of fit statistics for factor analysis models with varying number of factors. Given a set of dichotomous items, the authors demonstrate that these empirical assessments of dimensionality often incorrectly estimate the number of dimensions when there is a preponderance of individuals in the sample with all-zeros as their responses, for example, not endorsing any symptoms on a health battery. Simulated data experiments are conducted to demonstrate when each of several common diagnostics of dimensionality can be expected to under- or over-estimate the true dimensionality of the underlying latent variable. An example is shown from psychiatry assessing the dimensionality of a social anxiety disorder battery where 1, 2, 3, or more factors are identified, depending on the method of dimensionality assessment. An all-zero inflated exploratory factor analysis model (AZ-EFA) is introduced for assessing the dimensionality of the underlying subgroup corresponding to those possessing the measurable trait. The AZ-EFA approach is demonstrated using simulation experiments and an example measuring social anxiety disorder from a large nationally representative survey. Implications of the findings are discussed, in particular, regarding the potential for different findings in community versus patient populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What to do when item response data are multidimensional but a unidimensional model is preferred in terms of statistical simplicity and ease of interpretability? The projection method for the compensatory logistic multidimensional item response model for dichotomous data leads to a two parameter logistic model with local item dependence. Despite the local item dependence, the model is unidimensional for many practical purposes. Here, Ip's projection method is generalized to the case of the graded response model for polytomous variables, extending the applicability of the method to Likert-type response formats. A secondary aim of the paper is the study of rotation techniques intended for use prior to projection. In contrast to rotations aiming at a simple structure of factor loadings, the proposed techniques increase the variance explained before or after projection, facilitate the interpretation of the projected dimension by variants of target rotations or a mix of both. The method is illustrated with an application to the Highly Sensitive Person Scale and R code is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Communities That Care (CTC) is an evidence-based community change strategy for supporting healthy youth development. One of its key elements is the development of a community profile to identify and prioritise risk factors for health and behavioural problems in adolescents based on the CTC Youth Survey. The strategy was originally developed and evaluated in the United States. An adapted version of the survey has been used in Germany since its first implementation in 2008. However, the dimensionality and validity of the adapted risk factor scales have not yet been evaluated. Therefore, this study aimed to confirm the assumed unidimensional structure and to establish the concurrent criterion validity of each risk factor., Methods: A sample of 1,911 adolescents attending grades six to eleven in Lower-Saxony, Germany, was used to evaluate 23 risk factor scales of the German CTC Youth Survey covering the domains peer/individual, family, school, and community. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the dimensional structure of all risk factors with sufficient item numbers. Goodness of fit was determined using CFI, SRMR, and RMSEA. Latent regression analysis tested the concurrent criterion validity of all unidimensional risk factors. For this, violent and delinquent behaviour, substance use, and depressive symptomatology were regressed on each risk factor., Results: All evaluable risk factors demonstrated acceptable to good model fit regarding unidimensionality and predicted violent and delinquent behaviour, and substance use better than depressive symptomatology. Regarding the peer/individual risk factors, there are particularly high correlations with violent and delinquent behaviour, and substance use. In contrast, two risk factors were not correlated with substance use, whilst two other risk factors were not correlated with depressive symptomatology., Conclusion: Overall, the results indicate that most risk factors demonstrate unidimensionality and are valid in terms of concurrent criterion validity. Although some risk factors were not correlated with every outcome, they still predicted most outcomes, suggesting that the CTC Youth Survey is a viable tool for communities to assess their community risk profile. Risk factors that did not demonstrate unidimensionality or concurrent criterion validity should be monitored in future surveys and interpreted with caution until further evidence is available., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Reder, Runge, Schlüter and Soellner.)

Background The Pain Understanding and Confidence Questionnaire (PUnCQ) comprises two parts: the first assesses clinical judgments based on contemporary pain knowledge, and the second consists of items querying confidence in pain management for the presented vignette. In contrast to existing measures, PUnCQ can evaluate a therapist's capacity to make appropriate clinical decisions within a specific vignette. Thus, PUnCQ may be a promising measure to assess the clinical competence of physical therapists in pain management. This study evaluated the structural and construct validity of PUnCQ. Methodology Eligible participants were two cohorts of physical therapists managing patients with pain. PUnCQ and Knowledge and Attitudes of Pain (KNAP) data were collected using an anonymous survey. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted for both parts of the PUnCQ, and an exploratory factor analysis was conducted when multidimensionality was suspected. Construct validity was assessed with the hypothesis that Pearson's r values to KNAP scores, indicating knowledge about modern pain science and biopsychosocial attitudes toward pain, were expected to be 0.3-0.5 in part one and >0.5 in part two. Results Data from 112 participants were analyzed. PUnCQ part one fully satisfied the predetermined criteria for unidimensionality, but part two did not. Exploratory factor analysis for part two revealed a two-factor structure: a 14-item Factor 1 labeled "pain management" and a seven-item Factor 2 labeled "medication guidance and pain mechanism," while Cronbach's alpha was 0.98 across all items. Statistically significant correlations were detected with the KNAP in each part of the PUnCQ (r = 0.26 in part one and r = 0.41 in part two). Conclusion PUnCQ has structural validity and an aspect of construct validity., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Ethics Committee of the Saitama Prefectural University issued approval 23100. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Saitama Prefectural University on November 7, 2023. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Takasaki et al.)

As test-developers we have often been troubled by published reviews of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Too often minor issues are judged important while other reviews exclude the best measures available. Perhaps this led several groups to make recommendations for evaluating the quality of PROMs. The Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist is the latest set of recommendations.While reviewing the COSMIN literature and reviews conducted using their recommendations several concerns became apparent. The checklist is not evidence-based, relying on the opinion of researchers experienced in health-related quality of life. PROMs measuring other types of outcomes are inadequately covered by the checklist. COSMIN choose to focus on Classical Test Theory and the checklists are not appropriate for use with PROMs developed using modern measurement. Such an approach only obstructs progress in the field of outcome measurement. The retrospective nature of the evaluations also penalises new PROMs. While the checklists imply that composite, ordinal level measurement is acceptable, crucial aspects of instrument development and quality are excluded.Reviews based on the COSMIN checklist produce contradictory conclusions and fail to provide evidence to support the recommendations. These problems suggest that the checklists themselves lack reliability and validity. It is also clear that several reviewers lack the expertise to apply the checklists. Researchers require a good grounding in instrument development and psychometrics to produce quality reviews.The science of modern PROM development is still in an early phase. Few available PROMs have sufficient quality, limiting the need for complex reviews. Standards need to be agreed for high quality outcome measurement. The issue is who should set these standards?Most published reviews merely scratch the surface and lack essential detail. All reviews of PROMs should be treated with caution, irrespective of whether the COSMIN checklist was employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms-II (IDAS-II) constitutes a useful measurement tool with demonstrated psychometric properties that is contributing to the advancement of knowledge of emotional disorders within transdiagnostic models. To implement its use in clinical settings it is important that the scores can be interpreted in order to guide clinical decisions. This study aims to develops normative data for the Spanish version of the IDAS-II. An anonymous online survey was applied to 1,072 subjects, recruited through a stratified random sampling procedure taking into account population gender, age, and geographical region of Spain. Results show that women tend to score higher than men, particularly on the Dysphoria, General Depression, Appetite Gain, and Lassitude scales. Largest effect sizes for differences in the scores according to age were found for Lassitude, Dysphoria, and General Depression. Therefore, normative data according to gender and age group for each IDAS-II scale is provided. The norms provided in this work complement those already available, facilitating the decision-making of clinical professionals. Evidence of unidimensionality is provided for the 19 IDAS-II scales that allows researchers and clinicians to use specific IDAS-II scales independently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms-II (IDAS-II) constitutes a useful measurement tool with demonstrated psychometric properties that is contributing to the advancement of knowledge of emotional disorders within transdiagnostic models. To implement its use in clinical settings it is important that the scores can be interpreted in order to guide clinical decisions. This study aims to develops normative data for the Spanish version of the IDAS-II. An anonymous online survey was applied to 1,072 subjects, recruited through a stratified random sampling procedure taking into account population gender, age, and geographical region of Spain. Results show that women tend to score higher than men, particularly on the Dysphoria, General Depression, Appetite Gain, and Lassitude scales. Largest effect sizes for differences in the scores according to age were found for Lassitude, Dysphoria, and General Depression. Therefore, normative data according to gender and age group for each IDAS-II scale is provided. The norms provided in this work complement those already available, facilitating the decision-making of clinical professionals. Evidence of unidimensionality is provided for the 19 IDAS-II scales that allows researchers and clinicians to use specific IDAS-II scales independently.

Background: The Schizophrenia Coping Oral Health Profile and Index (SCOOHPI) scale studies the coping strategies of schizophrenic patients with regard to oral health. The structural validity of this scale is studied has been studied using factor analyses. In this article, we study the unidimensionality of the SCOOHPI scale to use it as an index. Methods: We studied the internal consistency of the items of the SCOOHPI scale. Then, we studied the construct validity. The unidimensionality of the SCOOHPI scale was studied by the partial credit model. Results: The data used in this study come from five hospitals, and the total number of individuals participating in this study is 96, of which 72% are men and 59% are smokers. The SCOOHPI scale has good internal consistency (α = 0.84). The validity of divergence was checked by the absence of correlation between the SCOOHPI scale and the GOHAI (General Oral Health Assessment Index) scale. The unidimensionality of the SCOOHPI scale with data smoothing was demonstrated by the partial credit model. Conclusion: In this study, we completed the study of the psychometric validation of the SCOOHPI. The SCOOHPI scale can then contribute to improving evaluation of the coping strategies of schizophrenic patients with regard to oral health.

Purpose: The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment (Achilles tendon—VISA-A, greater trochanteric pain syndrome—VISA-G, proximal hamstring tendinopathy—VISA-H, patellar tendon—VISA-P) questionnaires are widely used in research and clinical practice; however, no systematic reviews have formally evaluated their content, structural, and cross-cultural validity evidence. The measurement properties referring to content, structural and cross-cultural validity of the VISA questionnaires were appraised and synthesized. Methods: The systematic review was conducted according to Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) methodology. PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science, SportsDiscus, grey literature, and reference lists were searched. Development studies and cross-cultural adaptations (12 languages) assessing content or structural validity of the VISA questionnaires were included and two reviewers assessed their methodological quality. Evidence for content (relevance, comprehensiveness, and comprehensibility), structural, and cross-cultural validity was synthesized. A modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was applied to evidence synthesis. Results: The VISA-A presented very-low-quality evidence of sufficient relevance, insufficient comprehensiveness, and inconsistent comprehensibility. VISA-G displayed moderate-quality evidence for sufficient comprehensibility and very-low-quality evidence of sufficient relevance and comprehensiveness. The VISA-P presented very-low-quality evidence of sufficient relevance, insufficient comprehensiveness, and inconsistent comprehensibility, while VISA-H presented very-low evidence of insufficient content validity. VISA-A displayed low-quality evidence for structural validity concerning unidimensionality and internal structure, while VISA-H presented low-quality evidence of insufficient unidimensionality. The structural validity of VISA-G and VISA-P were indeterminate and inconsistent, respectively. Internal consistency for VISA-G, VISA-H, and VISA-P was indeterminate. No studies evaluated cross-cultural validity, while measurement invariance across sexes was assessed in one study. Conclusions: Only very-low-quality evidence exists for the content and structural validity of VISA questionnaires when assessing the severity of symptoms and disability in patients with lower limb tendinopathies. Level of evidence: IV. Registration: PROSPERO reference—CRD42019126595. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study assessed the dimensionality and item difficulty targeting to person ability of HKAPIUM scale using Rasch Wright map approach. A HKAPIUM instrument (Cronbach's alpha = 0.71) containing eighteen (18)-items was administered to 121 trained healthcare professionals involved in the management of uncomplicated malaria in 24 selected primary health care (PHC) facilities in Plateau state, Nigeria. The respondents filled and returned the instrument and the data was analyzed using Bond&Fox software®. The Rasch principal components analysis (Rasch-PCA) of the item residuals indicated variance explained values of 52 (knowledge), 41.1 (attitudes), and 55.4 (practices) and eigenvalues of the first contrast as 1.2, 1.8, and 1.5, respectively, which were within acceptable values that indicated the unidimensionality of the three constructs of the HKAPIUM scale. The result showed moderate items difficulty levels for all the three constructs. The mean person ability levels of respondents with-respect-to knowledgerelated items were low, while their mean person ability levels in endorsing the attitudes and practices-related items were good. The study revealed unidimensionality of the 3 constructs of HKAPIUM scale, with observed mismatch between item difficulty levels of the constructs with most of the person ability levels of the respondents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to construct a test in mathematics (the integration unit) for the second secondary (science stream). The theory of response to the paragraph (the double parameter model), where the achievement test consisted of (40) paragraphs of the multiple choice type with four alternatives, the number of (679) students from the second secondary education in the secondary government schools belonging to the Mafraq Directorate in the second semester of the academic year 2017/2018. The results were analyzed using BILOG-MG3, where the results of the analysis showed that there was no match between the (5) paragraphs in the used model. The value of the empirical stability coefficient was (0.82). The model assumptions used in response to the paragraph were also verified: unidimensional; using two indicators: The Tanaka's Index and the square root index of the Root Mean Square of Residuals (RMSR). The Local Independence hypothesis was verified using the(ZQ3 ) indicator using the Local Dependence Indications for Dichotomous Items (LDID) program. The researcher recommended that the Ministry of Education establish a bank that includes such standardized tests and apply them through schools. The test should be used by the teachers and the mathematics teachers and by the researchers. The psychometric characteristics of the test should be used and the methodology used to construct the test should be used to construct tests for other courses and to confirm their psychometric characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Using data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antipsychotics (REAP-AP), our study aimed to establish the remission and severity ranges (mild, moderate, and severe) of schizophrenia on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-6 (BPRS-6). Methods: A total of 1,438 patients with schizophrenia from India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, and Taiwan were enrolled in the study. Using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses, the optimal cut-off scores for the remission and severity ranges on the BPRS-6 were established. Results: The scalability of the BPRS-6 was considered to have an acceptable “unidimensionality” (coefficient of scalability = 0.43). The cut-off scores for the remission of schizophrenia and mild, moderate, and severe schizophrenia can be optimally defined as the BPRS-6 total score of 20, respectively. Conclusion: The BPRS-6 can be a promising, brief, and unidimensional rating scale to supplement the measurement-based care of schizophrenia.

RASCH MODELING ANALYSIS: SCALE OF STUDENT PEACE OF MINDSET. This study aims to develop a scale of early detection of peace thinking in the context of standardized Indonesian culture. The study using a descriptive method for 1118 students from several public high schools in Bandung through Rasch modeling analysis. It is reported that all items are correctly perceived by students, with excellent internal consistency and good unidimensionality. The implication shows that there is still a need for further scale research based on a more diverse level of education units, including among santri (student) in Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) so that the results are conclusive and comprehensive, with urban or rural backgrounds. This research explains a dynamic, progress, and a second stage that is good in developing TNT's scale into an ethnically diverse Indonesian context.

Aims: The Dutch Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire (4DSQ) measures distress, depression, anxiety and somatisation, facilitating the distinction between stress-related problems and psychiatric disorder in primary and occupational health care. The aim of the study was to examine the measurement equivalence across the Danish and Dutch 4DSQ. Methods: Danish 4DSQ data were obtained from a cohort of Danish citizens on sick leave for mental-health problems. Dutch 4DSQ data were obtained from a cohort of Dutch employees on sick leave and a cohort of general practice attenders suspected of having mental-health problems. The study samples were matched on age and sex. The 4DSQ scales were assessed for essential unidimensionality using confirmatory factor analysis. Measurement equivalence of the 4DSQ across the groups was assessed using differential item and test functioning (DIF and DTF) analysis. Results: The study groups each consisted of 1363 people (63% female, M age=42 years). The 4DSQ scales proved essentially unidimensional. DIF was detected in 20 items. In terms of Cohen's effect size, DIF was mostly small or moderate. In terms of effect size, the mean effect on the scale score (DTF) was negligible. Nevertheless, it is recommended to adjust some of the cut-off points for two Danish 4DSQ scales to retain the meaning of these cut-off points in Dutch respondents. Conclusions: The Danish version of the 4DSQ measures the same constructs as the original Dutch questionnaire. Twenty items functioned differently in Danish respondents than in Dutch respondents, but this had only a small impact on the scale scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A widely applicable procedure of examining proximity to unidimensionality for multicomponent measuring instruments with multidimensional structure is discussed. The method is developed within the framework of latent variable modeling and allows one to point and interval estimate an explained variance proportion-based index that may be considered a measure of proximity to unidimensional structure. The approach is readily utilized in educational, behavioral, and social research when it is of interest to evaluate whether a more general structure scale, test, or measuring instrument could be treated as being associated with an approximately unidimensional latent structure for some empirical purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This brief article attempts to describe the importance of relying not just on model fit indices, but also on bifactor, confirmatory factor analysis to examine the factor structure of instruments presumed to be multidimensional. Three ancillary bifactor indices (explained common variance, omega hierarchical and percentage uncontaminated correlations) were calculated for three instruments that have been described as multidimensional in published research. One of these instruments, the Normative Beliefs about Aggression Scale (NOBAGS) demonstrated strong evidence of multidimensionality. The second instrument, Problem-Solving Inventory demonstrated some evidence of multidimensionality, but must be considered essentially unidimensional because of lack of sufficient evidence. The third instrument, Cyberchondria Severity Scale demonstrated essential unidimensionality with little evidence of multidimensionality. These findings support the argument that using only model fit statistics may lead researchers to draw incorrect conclusions about the dimensionality of an instrument.

Background: A number of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have been developed but insufficient attention has been devoted to the assessment of their clinimetric properties. Clinimetrics, the science of clinical measurements, has been considered an emerging approach for evaluating reliability and validity of PROs. This is the first study using clinimetric principles to compare the construct and criterion validity of the Major Depression Inventory (MDI), the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), the World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5), three of the most widely used PROs for the assessment of depression.Methods: Construct validity was evaluated via Item Response Theory (IRT) models (i.e., combining Rasch and Mokken analyses). Using the ICD-10 diagnostic algorithm for any depression as the gold standard, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were performed to examine the criterion validity of PROs.Results: One hundred healthy subjects (73% females, 32.6 ± 10.5 years) participated in the study, giving a response rate of 90.1%. When using IRT analyses, MDI and WHO-5 were found to be reliable and unidimensional, while BDI-II showed lack of unidimensionality. ROC analyses supported the diagnostic accuracy of MDI and the screening properties of WHO-5.Limitations: The main limitations of the present study are that healthy subjects were assessed only via only self-reported measures and a cross-sectional design was used.Conclusions: WHO-5 and MDI outperformed BDI-II in terms of construct and criterion validity. WHO-5 should be considered when screening for depression, while MDI should be used as a valid diagnostic instrument and as a unidimensional measure to assess depression severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]