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Maximizing the Validity of a Unit-Weight Composite as a Function of Relative Component Lengths with a Fixed Total Testing Time

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2025

Paul H. Jackson  and
Melvin R. Novick
Paul H. Jackson
Affiliation:
University College of Wales
Melvin R. Novick
Affiliation:
Educational Testing Service
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Abstract

An explicit solution is given to the problem of assigning relative lengths to the subtests of a test so as to maximize the correlation of the unit weight composite with a specified criterion when the total testing time is fixed. This solution is valid and unique whenever it specifies nonnegative times for all variables. A step-down procedure is suggested for cases in which some of the testing times are zero. This procedure does not necessarily provide an optimal allocation. However in examples studied it is found to provide near optimum results. Algorithms are also developed for the determination of the least total testing time required to attain specified multiple and composite correlations. A numerical example is given illustrating the use of the unit weight procedure in combination with the regression weight algorithm.

Type
Original Paper
Information
Psychometrika , Volume 35 , Issue 3 , September 1970 , pp. 333 - 347
Copyright
Copyright © 1970 The Psychometric Society

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Footnotes

*

Supported in part by the Personnel and Training Branch of the Office of Naval Research under Contrast Number 000-14-69C-0119, Melvin R. Novick, Principal Investigator. Reproduction, translation, publication, use and disposal in whole or in part by or for the United States Government is permitted.

References

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