B. Thompson and T. Vacha-Haase have examined the statement "the reliability of the test" with emphasis on the following three words: (1) the first "the"; (2) "test"; and (3) the second "the." This discussion focuses instead on the word "reliability." (Author)

The clarification provided by Williams and Zimmerman on the reliability of gain scores is translated into recognizable patterns of change that tend to produce reliable or unreliable gain scores. The relevance of the traditional idea of reliability to the measurement of change is also discussed. (SLD)

Yen and Burket suggested that shrinkage in vertical equating cannot be understood apart from multidimensionality. Reviews research on reliability, multidimensionality, and scale shrinkage, and explores issues of practical importance to educators. (SLD)

Asserts that editors should declare their expectations publicly and expose the rationale for editorial policies to public scrutiny. Supports effect size reporting and the reporting of score reliabilities. Argues against stepwise methods. Also discusses the interpretation of structure coefficients and the use of confidence intervals. (SLD)

Replies to Bruce Thompson's positions on research methodology and editorial policy, addressing each of these issues in the ongoing discussion: (1) structure coefficients; (2) stepwise regression; (3) test reliability; (4) effect sizes; and (5) meta-analysis. (SLD)

The reliability of a gain is determined by the reliabilities of the components, the correlation between them, and their standard deviations. Reliability is not inherently low, but the components of gains in many investigations make low reliability likely and require caution in the use of gain scores. (SLD)

The critiques by L. Collins and L. Humphreys in this issue illustrate problems with the use of gain scores. Collins' examples show that familiar formulas for the reliability of differences do not reflect the precision of measures of change. Additional examples demonstrate flaws in the conventional approach to reliability. (SLD)

Examines and compares the characteristics of four computer attitude scales: (1) Stevens'"Computer Survey"; (2) Reece and Gable's "Attitudes toward Computers"; (3) Gressard and Loyd's "Computer Attitude Scale"; and (4) Griswold's "Computer Use Questionnaire." Attitudes toward computer scales are examined, and…

Compares Wilson's database tape and the IAC "Expanded Academic Index" as explored by librarians in the State University System of Florida. Features addressed include journal coverage; abstracts and full text; subject headings, including consistency versus precision and controlled vocabularies; search software; disk storage requirements;…