Presents main similarity task methods available for scaling a large objects set and reviews their practicality. Discusses ways to increase the efficiency of the similarity task while maintaining satisfactory scaling solutions. Notes that the choice of appropriate task first depends on the kind of objects of stimuli being scaled. (SLD)

Several methodological issues in the multidimensional scaling of coarse dissimilarities were studied, examining whether it was better to scale dissimilarity data directly or to scale a new matrix derived from the original by row comparisons. Findings support an alternative row-comparison measure based on the Jacard coefficient. (SLD)

Exploratory multidimensional scaling and confirmatory nonparametric procedures were used to represent data from similarity rating and sorting tasks on nine animal names administered prior to and following the reading of two stories using those names as main characters. Changes in structure were related to authors' intent. (Author/JKS)

Two techniques compose a new methodology for studying certain classes of qualitative information: the F-sort task for data collection and latent partition analysis for data summarization. A detailed presentation is given of its application to a study of teacher's views of facilitating student learning in the classroom. (Author/LMO)

The factorial structure of the Rotter Internal-External (IE) scale was examined. While there was strong evidence against the unidimensionality of the Rotter scale, the findings suggested that the first-order factors do define a single higher-order construct that may represent the generalized IE construct. (Author/LMO)