F tests for the absolute invariance of dominance and composition scales

Significance tests are developed for evaluating the absolute invariance of the dominance and composition scales presented in a previous paper Bechtel, 1967]. These tests derive from the multivariate normality of the estimated scale values—this multinormality stemming from that of the observations upon which these estimated scale parameters are based. The scales compared by means of the present techniques will typically be constructed under distinct experimental conditions, which may take the concrete form of treatments, occasions, individuals, or groups. Thus the present tests possess a wide range of applicability including various experimental designs in which scale configuration is the dependent variable. Illustrative data are used in statistically comparing the scale structures of two different individuals.This research was supported in part by National Institutes of Health Grant MH-04439-06. The author would like to express his appreciation to Fred C. Andrews of the University of Oregon and J. E. Keith Smith of the University of Michigan for their helpful comments concerning aspects of this work. Computing assistance was obtained from the Health Sciences Computing Facility, UCLA, sponsored by NIH Grant FR-3.