Does degree of asymmetry relate to performance? A reply to Boles and Barth

In a recent critique Boles and Barth (2011) argue that their prior study investigating asymmetry/performance relationships (Boles, Barth, & Merrill, 2008) uncovered the “true” association (i.e., negative correlation) between lateralization of visual lexical processes and word recognition performance. They contend that our study reporting positive correlations of lexical asymmetry and reading performance (Chiarello et al., 2009) was flawed and hence inconclusive. In this response we address the two major objections raised by Boles and Barth (2011) regarding our selection of tasks and asymmetry measures. We conclude that the Boles and Barth principle of task purity is not relevant to the stated aims of our investigation, and that our linear regression method of measuring asymmetry is valid given the high level of accuracy for the tasks we reported. Because the aims of each investigation differed, we argue that it is unwise to attempt to fit each study into the framework favored by Boles and Barth (2011).     

Patterns of psychotherapy development: A mixed-method analysis using assimilation indices

Understanding how assimilation develops is essential in promoting personal change. By attending to signs or indices of assimilation in the speech of clients, therapists can use this process to assess how the therapy is developing and to tailor intervention. The system of assimilation indices was developed to use assimilation to understand the process of change. This system signals five sub-processes of assimilation: external distress, pain, noticing, decentring, and action. This study consisted of a longitudinal mixed-method analysis, following a multiple cases embedded design. The system of assimilation indices was applied to the recordings of nine psychotherapies and contrasted with both the outcome of the therapy and the perspectives of the therapists and clients about their therapy process. The results show that the system of indices is useful in understanding multiple pathways for assimilation. The system of indices is seen as a useful tool for understanding assimilation and as having clinical value in anticipating challenges to the success of the therapy. This study also shows how the indices are sensitive to the nuances in the change process observed in clinical settings.     

Understanding of the current police caution (England and Wales)

The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (England and Wales) modified suspects' right to silence during police questioning and required a new police caution. The current 37-word caution was introduced after it was found that a proposed 60-word draft version was too complex. The results of the present study show that, although more succinct, the current caution is no easier to explain. Even under optimal conditions, when the participants could focus on each sentence in turn, only 1 in 10 of the general population (n=15), 6 in 10 of A-level students preparing for university (n=72) and 9 in 10 police officers (n=21) demonstrated their understanding by explaining all three sentences correctly. For all groups, the difficulties were more marked when the caution was presented in its entirety, as would happen in real life. The complexity of the caution has serious implications for suspects in police detention. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于等级反应模型的规则空间方法

本研究基于Tatsuoka的规则空间方法, 对理想反应模式与异常反应指标进行了扩展, 推导了多级评分项目下规则空间方法的算法公式。在4种属性层级结构(发散型、收敛型、线型与无结构型)×4种“失误”作答概率(2%、5%、10%与15%)测验情境下, 以属性模式判准率、被试属性判准率、敏感性与特异性为指标, 检验了多级评分项目下规则空间方法的分类准确性。结果表明：(1) 基于多级评分项目构建的异常反应指标, 能有效地对被试进行分类与解释, 且0-1评分项目下异常反应指标及其性质都是多级评分下的特例; (2) 随着“失误”作答概率的增加, 4种属性层级结构的分类准确性都会降低; (3) 线型和收敛型的分类准确性明显好于发散型与无结构型; (4) 纯规则点的分布对规则空间方法的分类准确性有显著影响。     

On Similarity Coefficients for 2×2 Tables and Correction for Chance

This paper studies correction for chance in coefficients that are linear functions of the observed proportion of agreement. The paper unifies and extends various results on correction for chance in the literature. A specific class of coefficients is used to illustrate the results derived in this paper. Coefficients in this class, e.g. the simple matching coefficient and the Dice/Sørenson coefficient, become equivalent after correction for chance, irrespective of what expectation is used. The coefficients become either Cohen’s kappa, Scott’s pi, Mak’s rho, Goodman and Kruskal’s lambda, or Hamann’s eta, depending on what expectation is considered appropriate. Both a multicategorical generalization and a multivariate generalization are discussed.     

A note on distributional properties of the Jöreskog-Sörbom fit indices

In introducing the LISREL model for systems of linear structural equations, Jöreskog and Sörbom proposed two goodness-of-fit indices, GFI and AGFI. Their asymptotic distributions and some statistical properties are discussed.The authors would like to acknowledge the helpful comments and suggestions from the Associate Editor and two anonymous reviewers.     

Caution indices based on item response theory

A new family of indices was introduced earlier as a link between two approaches: One based on item response theory and the other on sample statistics. In this study, the statistical properties of these indices are investigated and then the relationships to Guttman Scales, and to item and person response curves are discussed. Further, these indices are standardized, and an example of their potential usefulness for diagnosing students' misconceptions is shown.This research was sponsored by the Personnel and Training Research Program, Psychological Sciences Division, Office of Naval Research, under contract No. N00014-82-K-0604.     

等效性检验——结构方程模型评价和测量不变性分析的新视角

常用的结构方程模型拟合指数存在一定局限, 如χ ²以传统零假设为目标假设, 无法验证模型, 而RMSEA和CFI等描述性的拟合指数不具备推断统计性质, 等效性检验有效弥补了这些问题。首先说明等效性检验如何评价单个模型的拟合, 并解释其与零假设检验的不同, 然后介绍等效性检验如何分析测量不变性, 接着用实证数据展示了等效性检验在单个模型评价和测量不变性检验中的效果, 并与传统模型评价方法比较。     

检验的临界值：真伪差距多大才能辨别？ ——评《不同条件下拟合指数的表现及临界值的选择》

Hu和Bentler（1998,1999）通过模拟研究推荐结构方程模型拟合指数临界值后,受到不少批评和质疑。此后有关拟合指数的研究重点不再是推出新的临界值标准。郭庆科等人的文章《不同条件下拟合指数的表现及临界值的选择》,仿照Hu和Bentler的做法,通过模拟研究推荐新的拟合指数临界值标准。本文旨在揭示这种做法的错误所在。用简单的Z检验,说明检验的临界值是不能通过模拟研究确定的。通过将一个特定真模型的众多错误模型分类,说明结构方程分析中真模型与错误模型差距的多样性,无法通过模拟一对真伪模型来代表。讨论了统计检验的本质和确定临界值的逻辑,还谈到应当从哪些角度检验和评价结构方程模型