@article {333, title = {Relative precision, efficiency and construct validity of different starting and stopping rules for a computerized adaptive test: The GAIN Substance Problem Scale}, journal = {Journal of Applied Measurement}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, year = {2007}, pages = {48-65}, abstract = {Substance abuse treatment programs are being pressed to measure and make clinical decisions more efficiently about an increasing array of problems. This computerized adaptive testing (CAT) simulation examined the relative efficiency, precision and construct validity of different starting and stopping rules used to shorten the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs{\textquoteright} (GAIN) Substance Problem Scale (SPS) and facilitate diagnosis based on it. Data came from 1,048 adolescents and adults referred to substance abuse treatment centers in 5 sites. CAT performance was evaluated using: (1) average standard errors, (2) average number of items, (3) bias in personmeasures, (4) root mean squared error of person measures, (5) Cohen{\textquoteright}s kappa to evaluate CAT classification compared to clinical classification, (6) correlation between CAT and full-scale measures, and (7) construct validity of CAT classification vs. clinical classification using correlations with five theoretically associated instruments. Results supported both CAT efficiency and validity.}, keywords = {My article}, author = {Riley, B. B. and Conrad, K. J. and Bezruczko, N. and Dennis, M. L.} } @article {28, title = {Competency gradient for child-parent centers}, journal = {Journal of Outcomes Measurement}, volume = {3}, number = {1}, year = {1999}, note = {1090-655X (Print)Journal ArticleResearch Support, U.S. Gov{\textquoteright}t, P.H.S.}, pages = {35-52}, abstract = {This report describes an implementation of the Rasch model during the longitudinal evaluation of a federally-funded early childhood preschool intervention program. An item bank is described for operationally defining a psychosocial construct called community life-skills competency, an expected teenage outcome of the preschool intervention. This analysis examined the position of teenage students on this scale structure, and investigated a pattern of cognitive operations necessary for students to pass community life-skills test items. Then this scale structure was correlated with nationally standardized reading and math achievement scores, teacher ratings, and school records to assess its validity as a measure of the community-related outcome goal for this intervention. The results show a functional relationship between years of early intervention and magnitude of effect on the life-skills competency variable.}, keywords = {*Models, Statistical, Activities of Daily Living/classification/psychology, Adolescent, Chicago, Child, Child, Preschool, Early Intervention (Education)/*statistics \& numerical data, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Outcome and Process Assessment (Health Care)/*statistics \& numerical data}, author = {Bezruczko, N.} }