Implications of controlled studies for health professions education are explored. An alternative research strategy is proposed, in which descriptive account of a situation allowing the important factors to become apparent throughout the observation is emphasized. This facilitates an hypothesis-generation strategy. (GK)

This study of the nursing examination for licensure in Michigan shows how adverse impact may be used as a legally mandated, quantitative tool to assess selection procedures in nursing and other health professions. (Author/CM)

Domain-referenced test items for objectives in clinical dietetics were administered to a national sample of students. Loevinger's index of item response homogeneity was used as an indicator of substantive construct validity. Available from: Sage Publications, Inc., 275 South Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90212. (Author/JAC)

Several continuing competency programs, such as mandatory education and periodic review of licensing, and recent experiments in selective performance evaluation are reviewed. A review of the literature and an Ontario experiment provide data concerning program efficacy and the use of a positive reinforcement independent peer review process. (TJH)

Reasons behind the trend by health professional schools to use computers for storing, sorting, and retrieving student data are discussed. Methods are suggested to ensure that the data system will meet administrative and evaluative needs and be financially viable. (Author/GK)

Issues associated with incorporation of computerized test development and administration into licensure of health professionals are discussed. Specific issues covered include reporting of test procedures and results, computerized test administration, open-book testing, and the impact of regulation. (TJH)

Credentialing examinations have been relatively immune from legal attack based on allegations that the examinations lack validity. The extent of the present legal obligation to demonstrate the validity of credentialing examinations is analyzed in three areas: (1) the Civil Rights Act of 1964; (2) the Constitution; and (3) antitrust laws.…

Three professional associations, the American Educational Research Association, the American Psychological Association, and the National Council on Measurement in Education, jointly adopted the new "Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing" in 1985. The relationship of these to earlier standards is reviewed, and implications…

Findings regarding formats and scoring formulas for multiple-choice test items with more than one correct response are presented. Strong cluing effects in the Type K format, increasing the correct score percentage and reducing test reliability, recommend using the Type X format. Alternative scoring methods are discussed. (Author/CM)

To address the issues associated with testing standards, sets of context-setting variables and technical matters associated with standard-setting are presented to assist groups or committees desiring to set standards in a systematic way. (Author/CM)

Multidimensional scaling (MDS) and its potential use for research and evaluation in health-related professions are discussed. Useful data types, interpretation of results, and various applications of MDS are presented. MDS is less restrictive than factor analysis since it does not assume a linear relationship between the objects/variables of…

A professional program's influence on student ratings of instruction was examined over 3 years of a multi-instructor anatomy course for nursing, dental hygiene, pharmacy, and physical education students (N=743). The students were relatively consistent in their differential evaluations of instructors and instruction. Student achievement and…

Job relevance and adverse impact are major validity concerns relative to credentializing examinations. This article recommends that examination blueprints utilize a competency model based on: (1) job functions assigned; (2) level of expertise expected given the content and resources available; and (3) specific context and situation in which the…

The effects of educational practices emphasizing faculty control of the learning process on student effort to learn are explored. Research on student learning is summarized. Educational systems that do not acknowledge student management of their own effort will not succeed. (SLD)

A set of guidelines for planning and establishing a certification testing program is presented. The guidelines are organized into three components: (1) content specification; (2) item development; and (3) test design. A mythical new certification testing program, called the Tennis Players' Certification Testing Program, is used to illustrate the…