Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is particularly suitable for studying substance use, because use is episodic and thought to be related to mood and context. This article reviews EMA methods in substance use research, focusing on tobacco and alcohol use and relapse, where EMA has been most applied. Common EMA designs combine event-based…

The authors investigated measurement properties of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition," generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) criteria in the National Comorbidity Survey and the Virginia Adult Twin Study of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders (VATSPSUD). The two studies used different widely used…

Research with couples requires measurement and data analytic techniques extending beyond those typically used with individuals. Measurement issues in couples' research that influence subsequent approaches to data analysis are reviewed, with emphasis on issues of nonindependence in couples' data. Univariate and multivariate analyses of…

Classical test theory is contrasted with new rules of measurement. In the newer, model-based test theory, item response theory (IRT), some old rules of measurement no longer apply. Six old rules that conflict with the new rules are reviewed. Sources of additional information about IRT are listed. (SLD)

Psychophysiological measures are generally those in which electrodes measure central or autonomous nervous system or skeletomotor activity with the goals of establishing linkages between the measurement and specific psychological processes. Psychophysiological methods and the difficulties inherent in their use are discussed. Guidelines are…

Two basic models are presented of emotional functioning as it is commonly considered relative to brain damage. Methodological concerns in the literature are reviewed, and issues of measurement are highlighted to demonstrate the importance of empirically defining the prevalence of emotional effects. (SLD)

Two large samples of urban families (n=287 students and n=94 families) were used to develop and cross-validate an assessment model and a measure of basic family processes and risk among diverse ethnic groups. Six scales produced a three-dimension higher order factor model. Implications for family assessment methodology and risk models are…

Validation issues that arise with measures of constructs and behavior are addressed with reference to general reasons for using assessment procedures in clinical psychology. A distinction is made between the representational phase of validity assessment and the elaborative validity phase in which the meaning and utility of scores are examined.…

Method effects as a source of construct invalidity were evaluated for parent, teacher, and child ratings of problem behaviors among 489 children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances. Multitrait multimethod analysis indicated large method effects for each rater. Such effects may be measurement artifact, situational differences, or…