The effect of grade inflation on the reliability of undergraduate grade point averages at a university was examined. It was shown that there has been some decline in reliability, but this is ameliorated by the use of plus and minus attachments to grades. (JKS)

Cicchetti and Ryan criticize Beutler et al's recent report. They claim that it suggests using the number of patients rather than the number of therapists as the appropriate unit for analyzing the reliability of process psychotherapy variables. In response, Beutler states that the criticism confounds methodological and statistical issues. (NG)

Some forms of interviewing are reviewed briefly, with emphasis on a method of assessing the reliability of interview ratings. Ways for introducing validity and meaning to academic or employment selection procedures that use interview techniques are suggested. (LBH)

Dependability of class means is analyzed by applying generalizability to a split-plot design with students nested within classes. Basic generalizability concepts are reviewed, and the derivation and interpretation of distinct generalizability concepts are discussed. Four generalizability coefficients are compared with each other and with the three…

Describes the National Library of Medicine's (NLM) Indexing Aid Project for conducting research in knowledge representation and indexing for information retrieval, whose goal is to develop interactive knowledge-based systems for computer-assisted indexing of the periodical medical literature. Appendices include background information on NLM…

After a brief discussion of the terms implementation and monitoring, this article illustrates a strategy for monitoring program implementation. The strategy, called model-guided method, offers a way to develop conceptual and empirical specifications for testing the adequacy of a program implementation. It also provides feedback to program…

The short-term reliability and long-term stability of visual habituation and dishabituation in infancy were assessed in a sample of 186 infants from four age groups (3-, 4-, 7- and 9-month-olds) seen for two within-age sessions, and in a sample of 69 infants seen longitudinally at 3, 4, 7, and 9 months of age. (Author/BN)

Described is the development of a method for identifying and classifying differing attachment organizations at six years of age. The system is based on an analysis of children's responses to reunion with parents following a one-hour separation. Sixth year attachment classifications to mother were found to be highly predictable from infancy…

Considers the cross-cultural consistency of personality inventories, concluding that it is justifiable to use the scale of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire for comparisons within and between different countries. (Author/LHW)

Presents an overview of qualitative methods, an analysis of the relationship between qualitative and quantitative approaches in social and cultural research, and a brief discussion of the issues of reliability, validity, and researcher objectivity in qualitative research. Discusses the application of qualitative methods to occupational therapy,…

Examines five structured interview formats for assessing psychopathology in children. Presents information illustrating specific characteristics of each interview. Includes reliability and validity data, and draws implications for use of interviews in school settings. Offers suggestions for the development of structured formats and for avenues of…

Information was gathered from college students to observe choice of postcoital contraception (PCC) and the effectiveness of the choice. Results indicate that PCC is an effective second chance to prevent unintended pregnancy. Research methodology is presented. (Author/DF)

The problem of determining which of several populations has the largest mean is considered. The procedure described by Dudewicz and Dalal is extended to the case of unequal sample sizes. (JKS)

A procedure designed to help instructional decision-makers evaluate individual sources of diagnostic information in terms of their functional utility may add a desirable measure of precision to their instructional prescriptions for learners. (Author)