Grant B. Morgan

Examining Classification Criteria: A Comparison of Three Cut Score Methods.

This study compared 3 different methods of creating cut scores for a screening instrument, T scores, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, and the Rasch rating scale method (RSM), for use with the Behavioral and Emotional Screening System (BESS) Teacher Rating Scale for Children and Adolescents (Kamphaus & Reynolds, 2007). Using the BESS norm data set, we compared the methods across 7 classification indices. Additional information about accuracy was used with a subset of children who had been given a prior diagnosis for selected disorders. The results showed that the methods were generally in concordance, with similarities identified across methods. RSM and ROC analysis methods performed similarly, with both methods identifying the same optimal cut-point. The method based on T scores appeared to be more conservative, identifying a lower cut score as optimal.

Construct Validity of the Children's Music-Related Behavior Questionnaire.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the construct validity of the Children’s Music-Related Behavior Questionnaire (CMRBQ), an instrument designed for parents to document music-related behaviors about their children and themselves. The research problem was to examine the hypothesized factorial structure of the questionnaire. From a national sample, parents of children 5 years old or younger returned 616 usable questionnaires. Items were parceled, and the model was subjected to a confirmatory factor analysis to assess the goodness of model-data fit for a one-factor solution using the parcels as indicators. Internal consistency of subscale reliability estimates ranged from α = .77 to α = .97. Three multiple fit indices suggested that the one-factor model adequately fit the data: standardized root square residual (.028), comparative fit index (.968), and Tucker-Lewis index (.955). Greater knowledge regarding parents’ observations of music’s role in children’s development may help researchers, practitioners, parents, and policy makers collaboratively consider how best to meet musical needs of young children in childcare and school settings.

A Primer on Disseminating Applied Quantitative Research

Transparency and replication are essential features of scientific inquiry, yet scientific communications of applied quantitative research are often lacking in much-needed procedural information. In an effort to promote researchers dissemination of their quantitative studies in a cohesive, detailed, and informative manner, the authors delineate information concerning writing for publication in applied research journals. Specifically, they present 10 basic recommendations, ranging from how to construct well-written abstracts through outlining what to include in discussions. They emphasize information needed for the Method and Results sections, given that those two sections are where transparency and procedural and analytic details—considered necessary to replicate studies—are traditionally provided.