Purpose: Motivating and enabling formal caregivers to provide individualized resident care has become an increasingly important objective in long-term care (LTC) facilities. The current study set out to examine the structure of responses to the individualized care inventory (ICI). Design and Methods: Samples of 242 registered nurses (RNs)/licensed…

In this essay, the author tries to look forward into the 21st century to divine three things: (i) What skills will researchers in the future need to solve the most pressing problems? (ii) What are some of the most likely candidates to be those problems? and (iii) What are some current areas of research that seem mined out and should not distract…

The aim of this study was to develop a model of identity formation comprising three structural dimensions: commitment, in-depth exploration and reconsideration of commitment. A new tool, the Utrecht-Management of Identity Commitments Scale, was designed to assess these processes. Early and middle adolescents (N = 1952) participated in this study.…

This comprehensive "Handbook" focuses on the most used polytomous item response theory (IRT) models. These models help us understand the interaction between examinees and test questions where the questions have various response categories. The book reviews all of the major models and includes discussions about how and where the models…

This study investigates "how and why" students' "Uses and Gratification Expectancy" (UGE) for e-learning resources influences their "Perceived e-Learning Experience." A "Uses and Gratification Expectancy Model" (UGEM) framework is proposed to predict students' "Perceived e-Learning Experience," and…

There has been much literature on the effectiveness of program evaluation. Many feel evaluation has lost its justification; others are more optimistic and feel evaluation can make a difference if the use levels are viewed realistically. Administrators must not regard program evaluation as merely complying with various agency requirements or…

Describes the development of a questionnaire that measures teachers' perceptions of eight aspects of a school environment. Discusses the theory base and predecessors of this instrument, the criteria and process used to develop it, its validation, and its application so far. The 56 questionnaire items are appended. (MCG)

Two studies assessed the construct validity of Greenspan's models of adaptive and social intelligence with 75 adolescents with mental retardation. Factor analysis measures of conceptual intelligence, adaptive behavior, and social intelligence yielded a practice-interpersonal competence construct. The second study, however, failed to establish the…

The validity of a comparison of mean test scores for two groups and of a longitudinal comparison of means within each group is assessed. Using LISREL, factor analyses are used to test the hypotheses of similar factor patterns, equal units of measurement, and equal measurement accuracy between groups and across time. (Author/DWH)

The purpose of the study was to use confirmatory factor analysis techniques to assess the adequacy of previous validity studies related to the structural and theoretical dimensions underlying a measure of self-concept, the Piers Harris Children's Self Concept Scale. Responses from 890 students in grades 3-6 were used as input to the LISREL program…

Determined the factor structure of tasks which require students to visualize how diagrams should be drawn to represent effects of rotating three-dimensional structures about the three Cartesian axes. Results obtained from 149 English and 231 Singapore students show that visualization about X-, Y-, and Z-axes are factorially distinct. (DH)

This paper responds to a 1992 study in which it was argued that the structure of intelligence in adults with severe mental retardation deviates from Greenspan's model, in which social and practical intelligence form separate factors. Application of confirmatory factor analysis to the original correlation matrix found the Greenspan model to be…

This paper discusses inconsistencies in Greenspan and McGrew's argument that confirmatory, rather than exploratory, factor analysis should be utilized in testing Greenspan's model of adaptive intelligence in adults with severe mental retardation. It is argued that problems with the data set should be addressed through further research rather than…

A method for empirical classification of autistic and autisticlike children, based on behavior observations of 35 males and 11 females (ages 4-28 years) was examined. Factor and cluster analysis indicated four subtypes, characterized by perseverative thinking and play, motor disturbances, schizotypal/schizoid features, and anxiety and negativism.…

This study evaluated 3 models of personal competence in 180 students with mild and 143 students with moderate/severe mental disabilities. Results support the original Greenspan model that includes physical and emotional competence and practical, social, and conceptual intelligence, rather than the American Association on Mental Retardation model…