Scale discriminability was examined in the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) with 151 college students and 60 depressed outpatients. The superior scale discriminability of the CES-D offers one explanation for its poorer specificity in college samples. (SLD)

The feasibility and efficacy of using self-report response methods with an In-Basket exercise were evaluated in two studies involving 258 managers and 55 college students, respectively. Results suggest that high face validity of the In-Basket exercise can be combined with the scoring ease and objectivity of self-reports. (SLD)

This study investigated the construct validity and population generalizability of the NTE Core Battery using two different data bases and several analytical designs. Part I of the study used data from the November 1982 administration of the Core Battery at the subscore level for 5,183 examinees. Part II used data from the October 1985…

This book articulates an integrated conceptualization of theory, assessment, application, and evaluation through the study of assessment and its role in linking theory and practice. Part 1 of the book contains six chapters which address the conceptualization of these four components, the potential for integrating them in the context of…

A study was conducted to develop a test that is able to capture knowledge of an intuitive nature, such as that acquired through discovery learning. The proposed test format is called the "what-if test." Test items in this format consist of the presentation of a situation. A change in the situation is introduced, and learners have to…

Issues of dimensionality, validity, reliability, and generalizability of students' ratings of instruction were studied with 610 college students who evaluated their instructors on the Teacher Effectiveness Scale. The Scale had high internal consistency, but interrater reliability, generalizability, and predictive validity warrant further study.…

Describes Quality of Student Life Questionnaire (QSLQ), which may be of particular use to family therapists attempting to understand perceptions of adolescents within family constellations. Notes that QSLQ is comprised of four factors (Satisfaction, Well-Being, Social Belonging, and Empowerment/Control). Calls QSLQ reliable, unobstrusive, and…

Surveyed 637 American Psychological Association counseling psychologists about their vocational assessment practices. Found that 56% of respondents provided vocational assessment services. Respondents most frequently recommended that graduate students in counseling psychology be trained in Strong Interest Inventory (SII). Respondents most…

Generalizability theory is used to examine the sources of variability present in a teacher and course evaluation instrument. Two studies were conducted. In the first study, four different forms commonly used by one specific college of a large midwestern university were examined using responses of 915 students. The analysis of variance performed on…

The Quality of Life Inventory, a measure of life satisfaction for psychological assessment and treatment planning, was evaluated with 54 inpatients, 54 recovering alcoholics, 18 private alcohol- and drug-treatment patients, 127 college counseling recipients, 272 undergraduates, and 19 criminal offenders. Results support the measures' psychometric…

Many clinicians are reluctant to discuss test results with clients. The four articles of this special section (1) explore ethical issues involved in discussing test results with clients; (2) illustrate the test feedback process for neuropsychological evaluation; and (3) examine the impact of test feedback on the individual's functioning. (SLD)

A study of 1,568 students in 10 2- and 4-year colleges and universities found that while students' self-reports of academic development and test scores developed from the same test specifications did measure the same constructs, the measures are not necessarily interchangeable. Analyses also produced ambiguous results concerning stability of…

The criteria for accreditation and reaffirmation published by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) have been developed to assist institutions in evaluating their effectiveness. In this study, the criteria are reviewed. An instrument to assess the Southern Association criteria was developed based on input from the association's…

This report deals with the question of obtaining insights into states of prior knowledge and exploring knowledge state tests and knowledge state profiles. The first part introduces a few basic terms important in the context of prior knowledge state. Evaluation and the validity, reliability, and usefulness of tests are considered in a prior…

Some issues involved in the measurement of student motivation and learning strategies are explored, focusing on a self-report instrument, the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ). The MSLQ, designed to assess the motivational orientation and learning strategy use of college students and based on a social-cognitive view, has been…