Christine M. Fox

Uses of Rasch Modeling in Counseling Psychology Research.

Inferences made from summary indices of psychometric scales must be reliable and valid to advance scientific knowledge in counseling psychology. This article illustrates traditional and innovative uses of the Rasch model in the development and validation of small- and large-scale psychological instruments. Discussion of traditional uses of the Rasch model included reliability and validity of scale scores, whereas discussion of innovative uses included (a) determining the optimal number of response categories for Likert-type items and (b) obtaining a measure of response style for each person. Both mathematical and conceptual explanations are provided, and counseling psychology data are used to illustrate examples.

Applying the Rasch Model : Fundamental Measurement in the Human Sciences, Third Edition

Over the last 4 decades or gO, test theorists have dolle an exemplary work expanding measurement theory, but they have largely ignored their obligation to explain their progress to a larger pub lic. We do not have many hooks that introduce modem measurement to test users in a technically undemanding way. 80 when the Books Editor of this joumal asked me to review App/ying the Rasch Mode/: Fundamenta/ Measurement in theHuman Sciences, which in its preface states its miss ion as explaining the fundaments of measurement to substantive researchers, I nourished high hopes of the text I was going to read. Having finished the hook, I cannot gay the authors have redeemed my expectations. On the contrary, I fear that the readers for which this hook is written may have serious difficulty understanding what is modem measurement. Or, worse still, that, if this is the only text on measurement they ever read, they may walk about with serious misconceptions for the rest of their lives. However, let me fust summarize the contents of the hook. The authors have chosen to follow the didactic principle ofleaming by examples. No theory is presented for its own sake. As a consequence, most ofthe chapters in the hook have the character of a series of worked empirical examples, complete with tables with data sets and graphs and tables pres enting computer output. This is a respectable approach; nothing is as convincing as an empirical example iliat shows step by step how a measurement model is applied, its fit is tested, how the scale values

Initial Development of the Brief Arab Religious Coping Scale (BARCS)

This project aimed to develop a brief and culturally sensitive measure of positive religious coping that could be useful in research with Arab Americans of both Christian and Muslim affiliations. In Study 1,62 items were generated based on previous religious coping measures and knowledge of religious practices in the Arab community. Seventy-six community respondents completed this pilot questionnaire. Based on Rasch rating scale analysis, 15 items were retained for the Brief Arab Religious Coping Scale (BARCS). In Study 2, the BARCS was completed by an Internet sample of 599 Arab Americans. The measure demonstrated excellent reliability and strong internal validity, although it did not correlate with acculturation stress and depression as expected. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.

The Development of the Game Engagement Questionnaire: A Measure of Engagement in Video Game Playing: Response to Reviews

This paper begins with an argument that most measure development in the social sciences, with its reliance on correlational techniques as a tool, falls short of the requirements for constructing meaningful, unidimensional measures of human attributes. By demonstrating how rating scales are ordinal-level data, we argue the necessity of converting these to equal-interval units to develop a measure that is both qualitatively and quantitatively defensible. This requires that the empirical results and theoretical explanation are questioned and adjusted at each step of the process. In our response to the reviewers, we describe how this approach was used to develop the Game Engagement Questionnaire (GEQ), including its emphasis on examining a continuum of involvement in violent video games. The GEQ is an empirically sound measure focused on one player characteristic that may be important in determining game influence.

Objective Standard Setting for Judge-Mediated Examinations

Judge-mediated examinations are defined as those for which expert evaluation (using rubrics) is required to determine correctness, completeness, and reasonability of test-taker responses. The use of multifaceted Rasch modeling has led to improvements in the reliability of scoring such examinations. The establishment of criterion-referenced standards for these assessments has, however, remained a labor-intensive practice. This article explores a method for incorporating the establishment of minimal competency within the measurement model itself. Two high-stakes testing boards participated in a controlled experiment comparing a multifaceted Rasch modeled approach to a traditional modified borderline approach often used for standard setting in judge-mediated situations. Criterion points from each were compared to assess differences and support validity. Results of the experiment suggest that modeling standard setting as part of the performance evaluation is an effective and efficient way to define minimal competence.

Public Policy Involvement of Nutrition Professionals

Abstract This research study reports the nature and level of public policy involvement in a sample of members of the Public Health Division of the Society for Nutrition Education. The survey instrument was a self-report, closed-ended questionnaire that was mailed to all members of that division. One follow-up attempt after the initial mailing resulted in a response rate of 66% (n = 396).When asked to rate current level of involvement in public policy change, 44.3% reported no involvement, 47% were somewhat involved, and 7.3% reported that they were very involved. Those most likely to be involved were registered dietitians, those with government jobs, and those with doctoral degrees. Although most reported some benefits to involvement, the majority indicated that they had not received any formal training and said they lacked the skills for involvement. Lack of time and frustration with the process were the most frequently cited barriers. Professional organizations trying to increase member participation in public policy issues could use this information. For example, results indicate that organizations need to be more visible with their commitment to public policy involvement. They might consider providing members with updates on current issues and feedback about the impact of their efforts. Additionally, continuing education programs should emphasize hands-on skill development.

Refining Change Measure With the Rasch Model

This study was to develop a linear measure of change using University of Rhode Island Change Assessment items that represented Prochaska and DiClemente’s theory. The resulting Toledo Measure of Change is short, is easy to use, and provides reliable scores for identification of individuals’ stage of change and progression within that stage.

Communicating NATO in the Asia-Pacific Press: Comparative Analysis of Patterns of NATO’s Visibility, Capability, Evaluation, and Local Resonance

ABSTRACT This article provides a reflection on the communication phase in a narrative’s cycle. It explores and compares NATO narratives communicated by influential press in NATO’s five Asia-Pacific strategic partners (16 media outlets observed on a daily basis between February–July 2015). The analysis traces NATO narratives communicated to broader society on the system, identity, and policy-issue levels. Innovatively linking strategic narrative theory by Miskimmon, O’Loughlin, and Roselle and the cascading activation framing theory by Entman, the article explores a range of narratives and assesses what narratives enjoyed higher visibility, stronger local resonance, and more pronounced emotive charge while communicating NATO as a capable IR actor. The article operationalizes and modifies elements of Entman’s theory (visibility, local resonance, and emotive charge, adding a category of capability), and then tests hypotheses based on this, using the inferential statistics Rasch Measurement Model. The article ends with a set of policy recommendations to NATO’s public diplomacy on how to capitalize on opportunities these narratives present and how to tackle challenges (specifically low local resonance and limited media visibility of the narratives).