Formulation of a DIMTEST Effect Size Measure (DESM) and Evaluation of the DESM Estimator Bias

DIMTEST is a widely used and studied method for testing the hypothesis of test unidimensionality as represented by local item independence. However, DIMTEST does not report the amount of multidimensionality that exists in data when rejecting its null. To provide more information regarding the degree to which data depart from unidimensionality, a DIMTEST-based Effect Size Measure (DESM) was formulated. In addition to detailing the development of the DESM estimate, the current study describes the theoretical formulation of a DESM parameter. To evaluate the efficacy of the DESM estimator according to test length, sample size, and correlations between dimensions, Monte Carlo simulations were conducted. The results of the simulation study indicated that the DESM estimator converged to its parameter as test length increased, and, as desired, its expected value did not increase with sample size (unlike the DIMTEST statistic in the case of multidimensionality). Also as desired, the standard error of DESM decreased as sample size increased.     

An institutional North Star: the role of values in presidential communication and decision-making

Mission statements have been a staple of higher education institutions for decades, but little is known of how they are used as a tool for institutional decision-making. Using three distinct data sources, this study relies on framing theory to analyse the perceptions of university presidents in the United States on the role of mission statements in deciding when and how to communicate. Further, we compare the espoused values of university mission statements to the statements university presidents made following the 2016 US presidential election. Findings indicate presidents view mission statements as central to their decision to communicate and our analysis reveals some congruence between mission statements and public statements.