Mediation analysis plays an important role in understanding causal processes in social and behavioral sciences. While path analysis with composite scores was criticized to yield biased parameter estimates when variables contain measurement errors, recent literature has pointed out that the population values of parameters of latent-variable models…

Presents a contingency model for decision making with regard to needs analysis methods. Focus is on 12 methods with brief discussion of their defining characteristics and some operational guidelines for their use. (JOW)

According to Fiedler's Contingency Model of Leadership Effectiveness, group performance is a function of the leader-situation interaction. A review of past validations has found several problems associated with the model. Meta-analytic techniques were applied to the Contingency Model in order to assess the validation evidence quantitatively. The…

This study examines the relationship between three variables in the problem-solving approaches of emotionally disturbed children. The variables of locus of control, persistence behavior, and reflection-impulsivity were related to each other and to problem-solving approach. The varying nature of these relationships is discussed. (SJL)

Twenty-four practicum trainees experienced either monitor-modeling or immediate feedback supervision during their training. Ten minute counseling sessions with coached clients were taped before and after the practicum. Three independent judges rated the tapes, using Carkhuff's scales for "gross ratings of facilitative interpersonal functioning" to…

The rationale underlying tests of social intelligence and some of the problems inherent in those tests are discussed. To measure social intelligence, paper and pencil tests were developed which were "situation free." These tests employed "stereotypic behavior of individual others." The stimuli used in the behavioral tests were…

If organizations are to measure and use worker performance information effectively, they must distinguish between two components of performance appraisal: performance data (recorded information for comparing workers) and performance development (the process of improving human assets by discouraging ineffective and reinforcing effective job…

A bank of psycometrically sound scaled behavioral incidents of college classroom teaching behavior was developed for use in devising performance evaluation scales, teacher training devices, and policy evaluation questionnaires. Using a combination of the critical incident and retranslation methodologies a set of 720 incident descriptions was…

Two problems related to early childhood are studied: the specification of goals and the problem of measurement. Methods used to study these problems are to define objectives in the affective domain and to develop instruments to measure the attainment of these objectives. It is pointed out that the interrelationship between what the child is able…

A system of appraising teachers that is acceptable to the teaching profession, the public, and school management is needed. To meet this need, Project D developed a diagnostic system of appraisal whose aim was to pinpoint areas in which teachers might reasonably be expected to improve their performance. The procedures adopted included the…