scholarly journals Diminishing returns as a function of the association between within-individual average performance and variance

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimmo Sorjonen ◽  
Guy Madison ◽  
Bo Melin
Keyword(s):  
Test Scores ◽  
Residual Variance ◽  
Average Performance ◽  
Latent Ability ◽  
Diminishing Returns ◽  
Ability Factor ◽  
Different Dimensions

It has been demonstrated that the worst performance rule (WPR) effect can occur as a result of statistical dependencies in the data. Here, we examine whether this might also be the case for Spearman’s law of diminishing returns (SLODR). Two proposed SLODR criteria are the skewness of the estimated latent ability factor and the correlation between this latent ability and within-individual residual variance. Using four publicly available datasets, covering quite different dimensions of behavior, we show that both these criteria are affected by the correlation between within-individual average performance and variance on the test scores. However, the influence of this correlation on the two criteria goes in opposite directions, which suggests that it generally might be difficult to get results that unambiguously support SLODR.

A Method for Studying the Homogeneity of Test Items with Respect to Other Relevant Variables

1985 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bengt Muthén
Keyword(s):  
Categorical Data ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Test Items ◽  
Latent Ability ◽  
Relevant Variables ◽  
Related Test

Drawing on recently developed methodology for structural equation modeling with categorical data, this article proposes a new approach for investigating the behavior of a set of dichotomously scored test items in relation to a set of other relevant (observed) variables. This is achieved by considering a linear structural model relating the latent ability variable to a set of observed scores. The approach gives information on hypothesized unidimensionality and homogeneity of items with respect to these other variables. Some examples are given where a set of biology anchor items is related to a set of other related test scores obtained from the examinees.

Pretest and Posttest Confidence Ratings in Test Performance by Low-, Medium-, and High-Scoring Students

1994 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen P. Sjostrom ◽  
Alan Marks
Keyword(s):  
Test Performance ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Psychology Students ◽  
Introductory Psychology ◽  
Test Material ◽  
Relative Difficulty ◽  
High Group ◽  
Average Performance ◽  
General Ability ◽  
Before And After

Before and after taking 12 successive tests, 90 introductory psychology students rated their level of confidence in passing each test. Students were divided into high, medium, and low groups based on their semester test scores. Students in the high group had higher ratings and were better able to predict their average performance than students in the low and medium groups. Ratings for all students averaged across the 12 tests correlated significantly with average test scores, but students were unable to evaluate their readiness for taking individual tests. Results suggest that ratings were based primarily on students' assessments of the relative difficulty of the test material and on their general ability in the course, rather than on the effectiveness of their study.

scholarly journals Diminishing returns as a function of disturbance

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9490
Author(s):  
Kimmo Sorjonen ◽  
Bo Melin
Keyword(s):  
Test Scores ◽  
High Ability ◽  
Disturbing Factor ◽  
Iq Test ◽  
Diminishing Returns ◽  
Present Simulation ◽  
Low Motivation

According to Spearman’s law of diminishing returns (SLODR), IQ test scores are more g saturated among those with low, compared to those with high, ability. The present simulation shows that such difference in saturation can be observed if test scores are affected by a disturbing factor, for example, low motivation, illness, or linguistic confusion, that varies in magnitude between individuals. More contemporary criteria of SLODR can also be satisfied if test scores are affected by disturbance, especially if the disturbance variable is negatively skewed. This indicates a possible threat against the validity of findings supporting SLODR and points at the importance for researchers to try to eliminate the influence of such disturbing factors from their studies.

scholarly journals PATIENT EXPERIENCE WITH HOSPITAL CARE - COMPARISON OF A SAMPLE OF GREEN HOSPITALS AND NON-GREEN HOSPITALS

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hessam Sadatsafavi ◽  
John Walewski ◽  
Michael Taborn
Keyword(s):  
Public Hospital ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Average Performance ◽  
The Public ◽  
Hospital Consumer Assessment ◽  
Different Dimensions ◽  
Sustainability Movement ◽  
Consumer Assessment

Although the sustainability movement in the healthcare sector was initiated in response to ecological concerns, green hospitals are expected to outperform traditional hospitals on a variety of levels. The impacts of environmental quality on patients and caregivers are demonstrated in numerous studies. However, there is still a lack of evidence on the benefits of green hospitals with respect to different dimensions of patients' experiences. In this study, data from the public Hospital Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Survey is used to compare the performance of green hospitals with the average performance of traditional hospitals. This study included 19 green hospitals and found that patients hospitalized in green facilities reported overall higher ratings than those in traditional hospitals when compared to the average performance of traditional hospitals of similar sizes and locations. Additionally, patients in green hospitals were more likely to recommend the hospital to their friends and family. However, relationships between specific green building features and patient experiences were not identified in this study.

Spearman's Law of Diminishing Returns in Normative Samples for the WISC-IV and WAIS-III

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald H. Saklofske ◽  
Zhiming Yang ◽  
Jianjun Zhu ◽  
Elizabeth J. Austin
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
The United States ◽  
Intelligence Test ◽  
Ability Level ◽  
Diminishing Returns ◽  
Ability Tests ◽  
Intelligence Test Scores

In order to explain observed variations in intelligence test scores, Spearman (1927 ) proposed the “law of diminishing returns” (SLODR). It states that the g saturation of cognitive ability tests decreases as a function of ability or age. Published studies have shown mixed results. However, a recent review ( Hartmann & Nyborg, 2004 ) suggests that there is evidence for differences in g saturation by ability level, but that observed age effects on g saturation are most likely to be a consequence of the ability effect. The current study analyzed the standardization data of the most recent Wechsler scales for both children and adults from several different countries. This study did not find evidence to support either the ability or age version of SLODR by using large normative samples for the WISC-IV from the United States, Canada, and Australia, and for the WAIS-III from the same three countries and also from The Netherlands.

scholarly journals Diminishing returns as a function of disturbance

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimmo Sorjonen ◽  
Bo Melin
Keyword(s):  
Test Scores ◽  
High Ability ◽  
Disturbing Factor ◽  
Iq Test ◽  
Diminishing Returns ◽  
Present Simulation ◽  
Low Motivation

According to Spearman’s law of diminishing returns (SLODR), IQ test scores are more g saturated among those with low, compared to those with high, ability. The present simulation shows that such difference in saturation can be observed if test scores are affected by a disturbing factor, e.g. low motivation, illness, or linguistic confusion, that varies in magnitude between individuals. Some more contemporary criteria of SLODR can also be satisfied if test scores are affected by disturbance, especially if the disturbance variable is negatively skewed. This indicates a possible threat against the validity of findings supporting SLODR and points at the importance for researchers to try to eliminate the influence of such disturbing factors from their studies.

Rewarding Instructions vs Brainstorming on Creativity Test Scores of College Students

1977 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 951-954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randy S. Cox
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Creative Thinking ◽  
Junior College ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Final Exam ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Different Dimensions ◽  
Psychology Course ◽  
Junior College Students

86 junior college students were administered the Unusual Uses subtest of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking. Students from three intact classes received instructions for contingent and non-contingent rewards while a fourth group experienced a short “warm-up,” brainstorming activity. The fifth group served as a control. The reward instructions included an offer to remove a comprehensive final exam in an introductory psychology course. The Unusual Uses test yielded scores of fluency and originality for each subject. When pretest scores were statistically co-varied out, no significant differences were found between groups on any of the five creativity scores at posttest whereas differences in attitudes towards the task approached significance. Conclusions concerning the effects of the two strategies on different dimensions of creativity and attitudes were discussed. Implications and suggestions for future research were mentioned.

scholarly journals The Central Role of Noise in Evaluating Interventions That Use Test Scores to Rank Schools

2005 ◽  
Vol 95 (4) ◽  
pp. 1237-1258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Y Chay ◽  
Patrick J Mcewan ◽  
Miguel Urquiola
Keyword(s):  
Test Scores ◽  
Test Score ◽  
Mean Reversion ◽  
Average Performance

Many programs reward or penalize schools based on students' average performance. Mean reversion is a potentially serious hindrance to the evaluation of such interventions. Chile's 900 Schools Program (P-900) allocated resources based on cutoffs in schools' mean test scores. This paper shows that transitory noise in average scores and mean reversion lead conventional estimation approaches to overstate the impacts of such programs. It further shows how a regressiondiscontinuity design can be used to control for reversion biases. It concludes that P-900 had significant effects on test score gains, albeit much smaller than is widely believed

Biogenesis of Catalase-Positive Rods in Excretory Duct Cells of Salivary Glands

1976 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 62-63
Author(s):  
Dwight K. Romanovicz ◽  
Jacob S. Hanker
Keyword(s):  
Light Microscopy ◽  
Salivary Glands ◽  
Submandibular Gland ◽  
Excretory Duct ◽  
Exocrine Glands ◽  
Duct Cells ◽  
Peroxidatic Activity ◽  
Microscopic Studies ◽  
Different Dimensions

The presence of catalase-positive rods (Fig. 1) of different dimensions, which frequently have a crystalline appearance by light microscopy, has been reported. They seem to be related to peroxisomes which were characterized morphologically and cytochemically in parotid and other exocrine glands of the rat by Hand in 1973. Our light microscopic studies of these spherical microbodies and rods of different sizes, stained by virtue of the peroxidatic activity of their catalase, indicate that they are almost entirely confined to the cells of the striated and execretory ducts of the submandibular gland in the mouse. The rods were usually noted only in the proximity of the ductal microbodies. The latter frequently showed a tendency to appear in linear close array, or even to be contiguous (Fig. 2). This suggested that the rods could be formed by the fusion of microbodies.

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