The perceptual assessment of voice disorders by speech pathologists and interjudge reliability were investigated through screening of 160 children (4-14 years old). Results demonstrated poor interjudge agreement between the listeners and indicate a need for more objective measures in the identification of voice disorders. (Author/SEW)

Data are presented to support the reliability, validity, and utility of a procedure to assess the severity of a phonological disorder. The severity metric, the percentage of consonants correct (PCC), is readily derived from a continuous speech sample. PCC values index four levels of severity of involvement: mild, mild-moderate, moderate-severe,…

Raters' agreement and the relative consistency of diving judges at a boy's competition were analyzed using intraclass correlations within 16 position x type combinations. Judges' variance was significant for 5 of the 16 combinations. Point estimates were generally greater for consistency than for raters' agreement about scores. (Author/CM)

In time-on-task observations, the effects of variations in methodological characteristics on the importance of time-on-task for student achievement were examined. Substantive conclusions were affected by variations in five areas with the greatest differences due to changes in the duration and number of days of observation. (CM)

Provides information regarding the production and properties of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) data to facilitate the assessment of their appropriateness for research. Reports on assessments of validity and reliability, a factor analysis of characteristics, and possible sex bias. Cautions about using the DOT to study changes in…

First, third, fifth and eleventh graders were videotaped as they completed the Block Design Subtest of the WISC-R. Neither the order of placement of blocks within each design nor the degree to which children persisted in placing a given block correctly before moving to the next one evidenced developmental differences. (Author/RD)

This study examined whether a synthesis of clinical and statistical data taken from psychoeducational reports completed on 42 boys referred to a child psychiatric outpatient department for school-learning problems would yield discrete clinical categories or clusters of children. Cluster membership and educational placement recommendations were…

Using data from the SCRE Criterion Test composition papers, the author tests the hypothesis that the bulk of inter-marker unreliability is caused by inter-marker inconsistency--which is not correctable statistically. He suggests that a shift to "consensus" standards will realize greater improvements than statistical standardizing alone.…

Evaluated the reliability and convergent validity of three rating scales designed to measure self-concept clarity. The ratings of self, peer, and professional judges were compared. Results supported that a basic difference exists between a participant's self-reported constructs and an observer's judgment of that participant's constructs.…

Examined the reliability of spouses as observers of the behaviors that occur in their own marital relationships. Distressed and nondistressed couples collected data in the home. Across the entire checklist, nondistressed couples exhibited significantly greater consensus than did distressed couples, based on both percentage agreement and kappa.…

Describes an acculturation scale for Mexican Americans which can be administered in English, Spanish, or both languages; is applicable with both normal and psychiatric populations; and differentiates five distinct types of Mexican Americans based on four major factors. Includes reliability and validity data and a copy of the scale. (Author/SB)

Holland types characterizing 34 occupational groups are reported for Self-Directed Search (SDS) standard scores. Results are compared with the Holland types obtained raw scores. Results imply that SDS standard scores are more accurate than raw scores in describing the Holland types of occupational groups. (Author)

Direct observation is consistent with the multidimensional approach specified in the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Furthermore, it is directly related to psychoeducational planning, consultation, and intervention, and it is a credible information source. (Author/CP)

Examined the psychometric properties of the Peer Nomination Inventory of Depression (PNID). Reliability proved highly acceptable. Content validity was determined by experts' judgments. Subjects with high PNID scores exhibited depressed intellectual functioning, poor social behavior, and diminished ebullience. (Author)

Examines strengths and weaknesses of several needs assessment techniques currently in use and concludes that exclusive use of any single technique will likely provide a biased or inaccurate assessment of community mental health needs. There is a critical need to empirically investigate the reliability and validity of these needs assessment…