The appropriate selection of standardized tests is integral to establishing an accurate early diagnosis and providing timely treatment to optimize language outcomes in young children. However, clinicians sometimes utilize tests that are not validated for this specific purpose. This applied dissertation was designed to investigate the validity of…

This study investigated the reliability and validity of the Abbreviated Math Anxiety Scale (AMAS; Hopko, Bare, & Hunt, 2003) and the Math Anxiety Scale -- Revised (MAS-R; Bai, 2009) across race and gender as well as the extent to which race and gender predict learning math anxiety and math evaluation anxiety at both the secondary level, which…

In Saudi Arabia, mathematics is an essential subject for all freshmen except students majoring in medical sciences. The struggle of students in mathematics is one of the most common issues in the last ten years (Khoshaim, 2015). According to Higbee and Thomas (1999), mathematics self-efficacy, along with other effective characteristics such as…

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is diagnosed using the same criteria for males and females (e.g., DSM-5, ICD-10). Our understanding of ASD, including its etiology, symptom presentation, and prevalence has evolved significantly over time motivating several changes to the diagnostic criteria and the tools with which symptoms are measured. One aspect…

Validity of a measurement refers to appropriate test score meanings, uses, and interpretations (Messick, 1989; Kane, 1992). There are different approaches to validity: an evidentiary aspect of validity is one requiring gathering statistical evidence to evaluate test score meaning. A common approach to validation is comparisons of test score equity…

Motivation is a central variable in science education research. The Science Motivation Questionnaire II (SMQ II) is an instrument designed to measure student motivation to learn science. Nearly all peer-reviewed studies (n = 26) of the SMQ II have used Classical Test Theory frameworks despite known limitations with this approach. The present study…

In view of the potential benefits that computers can bring to older adults, it is advantageous that they acquire a basic understanding of computer function. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became necessary to register for vaccines online, and this posed a problem for some older adults who were neither knowledgeable in using computers nor had…

Development and use of validated assessments in physics provide insight into student understanding of physics concepts and can be utilized to track student learning across time and instructional strategies. These tools can be used to gauge the efficacy of interventions designed to support students and persistence, and allow instructors to make…

Academic self-efficacy refers to a student's confidence in successfully performing academic tasks at a designated level. Empirical research in US students suggests academic self-efficacy is a positive predictor of university student academic performance and retention, two outcomes that need to be increased in Saudi students. Given the potential…

The Performance Expectations described in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) pose significant challenges for assessment design. Multiple models of assessments, including paper-and-pencil and hands-on based performance assessments, can be utilized to assess student competency while applying scientific and engineering practices, in the…

Assessment is an integral part of learning as it is used to gather information about a test-taker. Those in the field of academia, such as educational policy makers, instructors, and administrators are able to use information gathered from tests to further instruction and learning decisions (Baker, 2006; Drianna, 2007; Kasper & Ross, 2013;…

This study was designed to investigate the predictive relationships of creative problem-solving attributes, which comprise divergent thinking, convergent thinking, motivation, general and domain knowledge and skills, and environment, with mathematical creativity of sixth grade students in Thai Nguyen City, Viet Nam. The study also aims to revise…

The purpose of the study is to further investigate the validity of instruments used for collecting preservice teachers' perceptions of self-efficacy adapting the three-level IRT model described in Cheong's study (2006). The focus of the present study is to investigate whether the polytomously-scored items on the preservice teachers' self-efficacy…

The purpose of this national, quantitative study was to (1) provide psychometrics for the ACUHO-I/EBI RA Survey, a joint project between between Educational Benchmarking, Inc (EBI) and The Association of College and University Housing Officers--International (ACUHO-I), and (2) explore the sophomore resident assistant (RA) experience. This study…

The purpose of this study was to create a valid and reliable instrument to measure teacher perceived barriers to the adoption of games and simulations in instruction. Previous research, interviews with educators, a focus group, an expert review, and a think aloud protocol were used to design a survey instrument. After finalization, the survey was…