A Conditional Joint Modeling Approach for Locally Dependent Item Responses and Response Times

The assumption of conditional independence between the responses and the response times (RTs) for a given person is common in RT modeling. However, when the speed of a test taker is not constant, this assumption will be violated. In this article we propose a conditional joint model for item responses and RTs, which incorporates a covariance structure to explain the local dependency between speed and accuracy. To obtain information about the population of test takers, the new model was embedded in the hierarchical framework proposed by van der Linden ( 2007 ). A fully Bayesian approach using a straightforward Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampler was developed to estimate all parameters in the model. The deviance information criterion (DIC) and the Bayes factor (BF) were employed to compare the goodness of fit between the models with two different parameter structures. The Bayesian residual analysis method was also employed to evaluate the fit of the RT model. Based on the simulations, we conclude that (1) the new model noticeably improves the parameter recovery for both the item parameters and the examinees’ latent traits when the assumptions of conditional independence between the item responses and the RTs are relaxed and (2) the proposed MCMC sampler adequately estimates the model parameters. The applicability of our approach is illustrated with an empirical example, and the model fit indices indicated a preference for the new model.     

Scientific communication – on the brink of the next evolution?

Key points

• Publishing is fixated on the format of the scholarly article, and this is stifling innovation.
• Content should be presented in a way that adapts dynamically to the reader's needs.
• A lot of interdisciplinary research is needed to transform reading, writing, and publishing processes.

     

Infant Attachment Security and Early Childhood Behavioral Inhibition Interact to Predict Adolescent Social Anxiety Symptoms

Insecure attachment and behavioral inhibition (BI) increase risk for internalizing problems, but few longitudinal studies have examined their interaction in predicting adolescent anxiety. This study included 165 adolescents (ages 14–17 years) selected based on their reactivity to novelty at 4 months. Infant attachment was assessed with the Strange Situation. Multimethod BI assessments were conducted across childhood. Adolescents and their parents independently reported on anxiety. The interaction of attachment and BI significantly predicted adolescent anxiety symptoms, such that BI and anxiety were only associated among adolescents with histories of insecure attachment. Exploratory analyses revealed that this effect was driven by insecure‐resistant attachment and that the association between BI and social anxiety was significant only for insecure males. Clinical implications are discussed.     

Video recording lectures: Student and professor perspectives

This paper investigated the use of special eyeglasses designed with a built‐in video camera and microphone for the purpose of recording classroom activities from the point of view of both the professor and the student. The aim is to eliminate the need for dedicated video recording in the classroom. This paper reviewed the various techniques used to record a lecture and highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of each. It also presented 10 activities from the point of view of the student and the professor, which may play a role in improving students' understanding of the lecture. The videos produced by the professor and student cameras were reviewed in terms of their effectiveness and usefulness with regard to the 10 activities. The results were analysed and conclusions were drawn based upon the findings of this study.