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A Study of Speed Factors in Tests and Academic Grades

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2025

Frederic M. Lord
Frederic M. Lord*
Affiliation:
Educational Testing Service
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Abstract

Speeded and unspeeded tests of vocabulary, spatial relations, and arithmetic reasoning were factorially analyzed, together with certain reference tests and academic grades. Lawley's maximum likelihood method was used, the computations being carried out on the Whirlwind electronic computer. Four different speed factors were isolated, together with a second-order general speed factor. Consistent small positive correlations between the academic grades and the speed factors were found.

Type
Original Paper
Information
Psychometrika , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , March 1956 , pp. 31 - 50
Copyright
Copyright © 1956 The Psychometric Society

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Footnotes

*

The writer is indebted to Dr. John French, to Dr. David Saunders, and especially to Dr. Ledyard R Tucker for helpful suggestions and theoretical advice throughout the course of this study. The active cooperation of Dr. William Shields, Educational Advisor, and of many others at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis has been invaluable. The author is very grateful to Dr. P. Youtz and Dr. C. W. Adams for the opportunity to use Whirlwind I, a high-speed computer sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, and to Dr. H. Denman for help is programming and in putting the program on the computer. He also wishes to express his deep appreciation to Dr. Hubert Brogden and Miss Bertha Harper of The Adjutant General's Office for the opportunity to use their matrix rotator and for helpful guidance in its operation.

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