Approaches recidivism from the perspective of ethnomethdology and views recidivism as the product of various decisions and interactions. Consequently, rehabilitation and measures of its success or failure must be considered as a process. An example is presented of the use of failure rate analysis in analyzing recidivism. (JAC)

Examined the interpretation of measures of moral development to individuals from three phases of test interpretation. Interpretations based on the meaning of the scale, the meaning of the score, and specific meaning to the individual are explored. (Author)

Amplifies a recent article by the author on influences for religious endogamy. A more appropriate indicator, called the Index of Influences for Endogamy, indicates influences of virtually equal strength for Catholics and Protestants, challenging the earlier conclusion of stronger Catholic than Protestant influences. (JAC)

Discusses how technical communicators can measure performance, productivity, and quality goals. Discusses developing a daily management system of measures for technical communication, notes other possible measures, and discusses criteria and prediction. (SR)

Describes the Waring Intimacy Questionnaire (WIQ) a 90-item, true-false questionnaire developed to measure the quantity and quality of marital intimacy. Eight facets of intimacy are measured: affection, cohesion, conflict resolution, compatability, expressiveness, sexuality, autonomy, and identity. Reliability and validity data are presented. (JAC)

This article provides an investigation of cluster validation indices that relates 4 of the indices to the L. Hubert and P. Arable (1985) adjusted Rand index--the cluster validation measure of choice (G. W. Milligan & M. C. Cooper, 1986). It is shown how these other indices can be "roughly" transformed into the same scale as the adjusted Rand…

Suggests that researchers of counseling effects adopt methods of assessing and representing clients' cognitive structures. A variety of methods are presented, some of which are illustrated in a brief case report. The advantages and limitations of the methods presented are discussed. (Author/JAC)

Presents the bivariate normal probability distribution as a method for estimating the prevalence of giftedness. The bivariate model requires the specification of two cutoff values for two selection variables and information regarding the size of the correlations between variables. The use and interpretation of bivariate estimates is discussed.…

Presents an alternative approach to the life cycle which avoids the creation of monolithic age categories and exclusive reliance upon the unidimensional index of chronological age. Data exemplify the potential utility of age status graphing in understanding the life cycle. (JAC)

Presents overview of Item Response Theory (IRT). Explores substantial advantages of IRT in both ability and attitude measurements. Describes and illustrates basic IRT models. Discusses instrument construction and computerized testing. (Author/BHK)

Addresses the problem of the equivalence of linguistically translated items that form measurement scales used to assess psychological traits or constructs in source and target cultures and languages. Outlines assessment procedures that are standardized but that also reflect cultural-specific concepts and values. (PS)

Presents critical review of traditional testing practices and offers unificationist perspective as next logical step in the evolution of psychological and educational measurement. Unificationist view is defined and contrasted to traditional test validation strategies. (Author/ABL)

A Southern Regional Education Board report warns that if state leaders do not insist that two-year college students meet publicly recognized performance standards, public confidence in the institutions could decline. (MSE)

Illustrates a method for generating continuously adjusted age norms using the normative data for the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R). Specific procedures for calculating age-adjusted Verbal, Performance, and Full Scale IQ scores also are demonstrated, with a worked example. Comparisons show continuous norming scores are more…

Determined nonbiological characteristics that discriminated between age groups and hypothesized life stages for these groups (provisional adulthood, age 30 transition, and settling down). Life stages do not fit completely but were of some use in describing the age groups, particularly provisional adulthood and settling down. (Author/BEF)