Reports on a project which developed a measure of levels of difficulty of reference questions handled by the California Interlibrary Reference Referral Network, and identified indicative measures that would reliably stand for the concept of difficulty. Correlations of predictive difficulty and actual difficulty are discussed. (nine references)…

Two studies involving a total of 99 experts examined the reproducibility of standards for 2 medical certifying examinations set under different conditions. Together, results of both studies provide evidence that a modified version of the Angoff method is quite reliable and produces stable results under varying conditions. (SLD)

Discusses studies of CD-ROM life span done by 3M and the Federal Special Interest Group for CD-ROM Application and Technology (SIGCAT) and concludes that CD-ROMs have long life spans. A table presents test results, and industry specifications for CD-ROM discs and drivers are examined. (EA)

Curriculum vitae for college faculty can be ambiguous and even misleading: they can obscure an individual's primary teaching and instructional achievements, tell less than they appear to, and convey an unintended message. Faculty should evaluate the clarity and force with which their vitae express their accomplishments and mirror their abilities.…

Reports results of a study of the ways in which undergraduate and graduate music majors evaluated the teaching methods of graduate associate music instructors. Reports that evaluators gave instructors high marks for characteristics including enthusiasm, interest in the student, and patience. Concludes that untrained evaluators can reliably analyze…

Variance as a function of time is described for the Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate's examination standards, with emphasis on the performance of candidates from Botswana and Zimbabwe. Results demonstrate the value of simple linear modeling in extracting performance trends for a range of subjects over time across six countries. (TJH)

Monte Carlo methods are used to evaluate marginal maximum likelihood estimation of item parameters and maximum likelihood estimates of theta in the two-parameter logistic model for varying test lengths, sample sizes, and assumed theta distributions. Results with 100 datasets demonstrate the methods' general precision and stability. Exceptions are…

This paper uses the concepts of decision reliability and validity to analyze three alternative psychoeducational assessment strategies: multiple gating, template matching, and time-series methods. It argues that relatively little knowledge is gained through analysis of individual scales and assessment technologies without considering the…

Outlines methodology employed during six-month period to integrate quantitative and qualitative research results. The project, involving mainstreamed learning-disabled students' problems with homework assignments, was designed to study educational issues through use of directed focus groups in which groups discuss specific topic in detail.…

A review of studies in which it was possible to compare results of health profession trainees' self-evaluations with assessment of performance by experts or objective tests found that self-assessment has potential but is poorly used. Effective training to improve validity and accuracy is available. (Author/MSE)

The reliability of residual scores created in the analysis of covariance in pretest-posttest designs, adjusted for a singe covariate, is compared with that of simple difference scores as relevant parameters vary. Little gain in reliability is created by analysis of covariance, which also suffers from reliability problems. (SLD)

A total of 211 male and 353 female gifted high school juniors completed the Vocational Identity Scale of Holland et al.'s My Vocational Situation (MVS) and the Self-Directed Search. Results suggested that vocational identity was not related to consistency or differentiation, either because the MVS may be inaccurate or the gifted population may be…

Twelve trained observers were randomly assigned to one of two methods of data collection in scoring teacher-student interactions. Results indicated no overall difference in observer accuracy between momentary time sampling and continuous data collection when scoring behaviors that differed along the dimensions of frequency and predictability.…

Examined changes in mothers' reported child-rearing practices in regard to independence and control, positive and negative affect, and disciplinary practices. The Child Rearing Practices Report was administered five times during an eight-year period. Substantial stability in behaviors and values was noted. Some practices changed with age. (BC)

A study compared reports of 20 children (37 to 67 months) of either a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) or a pediatric assessment. Ratings of stress were significantly higher for children who underwent the VCUG and they reported more correct information than the children who experienced the pediatric assessment. (Author/CR)