Compared two types of empirical study with two types of conceptual research on the validity of the Rorschach. Argues that the Rorschach does have some validity and that poor research is at least partly culpable for the Rorschach's perceived failure. (Author/BL)

Twenty-three different methods of cluster analysis were compared in a four-stage sequential validation design. Results demonstrated that the solution given by Ward's method of cluster analysis was particularly powerful in comparison to solutions yielded by other techniques. (Author/JKS)

All 437 census occupational titles were assigned scores from the following five systems for describing occupations: (1) Holland's (1973) occupational typology; (2) an occupational prestige scale; (3) an occupational self-direction scale; (4) the "Dictionary of Occupational Titles"; and (5) the Census Bureau classification. Occupational…

Methods of adjusting cut scores used in placement decisions are examined empirically. Admission and performance variables are used to study alternate methods of adjusting cut scores for placement in standard and accelerated rhetoric courses in a large university setting, with the predicted variable being success or failure as measured by…

The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the American College Test (ACT) in predicting academic achievement of students from an area which is culturally, economically, and educationally depressed. The population, chosen from 6 community colleges serving the Appalachian region of Kentucky, consisted of 1,127 full time (12 or more…

The study compared two promising item response theory (IRT) item-selection methods, optimal and content-optimal, with two non-IRT item selection methods, random and classical, for use in fixed-length certification exams. The four methods were used to construct 20-item exams from a pool of approximately 250 items taken from a 1985 certification…

The purpose of the study was to compare the undergraduate grade point average with the graduate index to ascertain whether the former could be used as a predictor of graduate success for students in the Leadership-Administration Emphasis, with an eye to using it in the graduate admissions process. Data on the 60 students enrolled in the program…

This paper reviews methods which have been used to identify and validate learning hierarchies. Specifically, three methods which reflect the notion of a relatively inviolate sequence are discussed and compared. Two of the psychometric methods compare pairs of skills, the ordering-theoretic method (Bart and Krus) and the test of inclusion (White…

THIS STUDY, CONDUCTED BY THE MODERN LANGUAGE ASSOCIATION (MLA) WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE, WAS DESIGNED TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE FRENCH, GERMAN, AND SPANISH SKILL TESTS OF THE MLA COOPERATIVE FOREIGN LANGUAGE TESTS AND THE MLA PROFICIENCY TESTS FOR TEACHERS AND ADVANCED STUDENTS MEASURE ALONG A CONTINUUM OR WHETHER…

The sequential probability ratio test (SPRT), developed by Abraham Wald, is one statistical model available for making mastery decisions during computer-based criterion referenced tests. The predictive validity of the SPRT was empirically investigated with two different and relatively large item pools with heterogeneous item parameters. Graduate…