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Statistics as Psychometrics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2025

Melvin R. Novick
Melvin R. Novick*
Affiliation:
The University of Iowa
*
Requests for reprints should be sent to Melvin R. Novick, Lindquist Center for Measurement, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242.
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Abstract

In this paper, modern statistics is considered as a branch of psychometrics and the question of how the central problems of statistics can be resolved using psychometric methods is investigated. Theories and methods developed in the fields of test theory, scaling, and factor analysis are related to the principle problems of modern statistical theory and method. Topics surveyed include assessment of probabilities, assessment of utilities, assessment of exchangeability, preposterior analysis, adversary analysis, multiple comparisons, the selection of predictor variables, and full-rank ANOVA. Reference is made to some literature from the field of cognitive psychology to indicate some of the difficulties encountered in probability and utility assessment. Some methods for resolving these difficulties using the Computer-Assisted Data Analysis (CADA) Monitor are described, as is some recent experimental work on utility assessment.

Keywords

Bayesian decision theoryutility theorycomputer assisted data analysis
Type
Original Paper
Information
Psychometrika , Volume 45 , Issue 4 , December 1980 , pp. 411 - 424
Copyright
Copyright © 1980 The Psychometric Society

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Footnotes

1980 Psychometric Society presidential address.

I am indebted to Paul Slovie and David Libby for valuable consultation on the issues discussed in this paper and to Nancy Turner and Laura Novick for assistance in preparation.

Research reported herein was supported under contract number N000t4-77-C-0428 from the Office of Naval Research to The University of Iowa, Melvin R. Novick, principal investigator. Opinions expressed herein reflect those of the author and not those of sponsoring agencies.

References

Reference Notes

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