This article argues that realist and tragic fiction can and should play a central role in Religious Education in communities of faith and in theological education in schools of theology--thereby contributing to theological construction--"because good fiction produces truth". Fiction is a vital source for producing the questions that theology needs…

Discusses design and evaluation concepts and methodologies in the context of comprehensive system design (CSD) and considers the concept of error throughout. Topics addressed include six core concepts of CSD; design processes; evaluation concepts; evaluation processes, including criterion-related validity, construct validity, and systemic…

We are grateful to the commentators for providing many stimulating and valuable observations. The main point of our article was to call attention to the overestimation of individual differences correlations in a subset of neuroimaging papers. To structure our discussion of these comments, we list the main points from our paper, note where…

Reviews the approaches that have been used to detect cultural, content, predictive, and selection bias in mental tests. Argues that questions of bias are fundamentally questions of validity. Concludes that although much has been learned about the technical details of test bias, social policy questions remain to be resolved. (Author/GC)

Demonstrates difficulty in proving medium-term and long-term effects of career maturity on career adjustment and the connection with research and theoretical shortcomings. Presents empirical evidence supporting self-concept orientation in choice of present major and realization of preferences acts as mediating factors between career development…

Comparative research involving American minorities is examined in terms of external validity. It is proposed that an adequate approach to research would involve cultural, interpretive, population, ecological, and construct validity. (Author/MP)

Teacher education will probably continue to receive specific attention in the competency testing area. Professional educators need to apply the best knowledge and practice available if testing is to become a valuable and valid part of the teacher certification process. (CJB)

An analysis of how misapplication of criterion validity procedures involving mono rather than multiple operationalization of criterion measures has resulted in underappreciation of self-report research methods is provided. Further research on the validity of behavioral and self-report indices is recommended. (Author/AL)

Details the philosophical and practical dimensions of five types of validity used in qualitative research: descriptive, interpretive, theoretical, generalizable, and evaluative, with corresponding issues of understanding. Presents this typology as a checklist of the kinds of threats to validity that may arise. (SK)

In this paper, we argue against the over-simplistic accusation that the media "dumb down" the study of history. Instead, we critically examine the contemporary presentation of history on British television within a framework of analysis of commodification and consumption. We argue that central to the debate is the idea that whilst…

This paper analyzes research findings about the role of values and beliefs in aptitude testing. Indications are found that the ongoing controversy over the lack of ethnic, racial, and sex fairness in aptitude testing is rooted in the tests themselves. Test designers, it is argued, are influenced by their socioeconomic position (they are usually…

Twenty years of research on the Maze, a classroom-based reading measure for students with learning disabilities, is summarized. Overall, the research is supportive of the Maze. However, the most common version requires revision to obtain minimum construct validity, and additional research is needed on reliability and usefulness of alternate forms.…

Questions traditional approach to validating employment interview. Notes that individuals are likely to differ in ability to accurately predict employee behavior and that interviewers often differ in their constant tendency to make favorable or unfavorable ratings. Researchers, by failing to consider these tendencies, may inappropriately collapse…

The authors offer a detailed and systematic critique of Piaget's theory of cognitive development, examining it in relation to other theories of development. Chapter 1 points out some of the problems in building and evaluating scientific theories and considers contrasting approaches to cognitive development (including those which focus on…

Reviews recent research on counseling as a social influence process. Presents studies published since 1981 in two groups according to whether they pertain to first or second stage of Strong's (1968) influence model. Critically examines social influence literature as a whole as to its methodological and theoretical adequacy. (Author/ABL)