Describes a study of reliability among coders of information for meta-analysis (a quantitative procedure for synthesizing data in primary research reports) of research on life satisfaction in American adults. Identifies sources and areas of disagreement among coders and discusses measures that can be used to enhance intercoder consistency.…

This study provides support for the hypothesized effect of leniency on the discriminant validity of grouped questionnaire items. It was found that controlling for leniency resulted in a slight decrement in convergent validity but that discriminant validity was substantially improved. Implications for questionnaire validity and further research are…

A reliability study is illustrated in which subjects are judged on a dichotomous trait by different sets of judges, possibly unequal in number. A kappa-like measure of reliability is proposed, its correspondence to an intraclass correlation coefficient is pointed out, and a test for its statistical significance is presented. (Author/CTM)

In the area of developmental screening, predictive validity is typically assessed by two methods: correlational analysis and classificational analysis. This paper describes each methodology and reviews their relative advantages and disadvantages in relation to early identification of developmental handicaps and risks. (JOW)

It is argued that the axes of the Learning Style Inventory and Learning Style Questionnaire are not conceptually aligned. More accurate comparison involves the degree of similar classification of learning styles, as illustrated in the modest but similar degree of classification for 44 graduate and undergraduate students. (SLD)

Variables that have been coarsely categorized into a small number of ordered categories are often modeled as outcome variables in psychological research. The authors employ a Monte Carlo study to investigate the effects of this coarse categorization of dependent variables on power to detect true effects using three classes of regression models:…

Few research studies have systematically categorized the types of torture experienced around the world. The purpose of this study is to categorize the diverse traumatic events that are defined as torture, and determine how these torture types relate to demographics and symptom presentation. Data for 325 individuals were obtained through a…

Early differential diagnosis of dementia is becoming increasingly important as new pharmacologic therapies are developed, as these treatments are not equally effective for all types of dementia. Early detection and differential diagnosis also facilitates informed family decision making and timely access to appropriate services. Information about…

This study provides a description of the academic functioning levels and performance gains of adolescents (n = 423) attending a residential school over a seven year period using secondary data. Students ranged in age from 12 to 18 and represented a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The vast majority of the sample were males (68%).…

The current study explored differences in test anxiety on high-stakes standardized achievement testing and classroom testing among elementary school children. This is the first study to directly examine differences in student test anxiety across two testing conditions with different stakes among young children. Three hundred and thirty-five…

Whereas traditional criminological theories treat juvenile delinquency largely as a reactive and expressive behavior that only seldom leads to specialized criminal offending or a criminal career, this article proposes an alternative classification of offenses that accounts for the difference between youthful reactive conduct and specialized…

A method for comparing the cross validated classification accuracies of linear and quadratic classification rules is presented under varying data conditions for the k-group classification problem. With this method, separate-group as well as total-group proportions of correct classifications can be compared for the two rules. McNemar's test for…

Holland's hexagonal model for six occupational groups was tested with data on estimated occupational rewards. Data on rated occupational reward characteristics were available for 148 occupations. Although the hexagonal shape was distorted, the groups were arrayed in the order postualted by Holland. (Author)

There are two distinct but related purposes for carrying out a "discriminant analysis": (1) discrimination, and (2) classification. The primary objective of this paper was to review the outputs of selected computer programs often used to carry out a "discriminant analysis" with respect to these two purposes. Information provided by the programs on…

Sorting things into groups is a basic intellectual task that allows people to simplify with minimal reduction in information. Classification techniques, which include both clustering and discrimination, provide step-by-step computer-based procedures for sorting things based on notions of generalized similarity and on the "class description"…