Discusses the complicating effects of ambivalence on the validity of science attitude measurement scales. Cites studies indicating that the positive and negative effects about a particular psychological object are not necessarily bipolar. Suggests the use of factor analysis to check dimensionality in instruments. (TW)

The attitudes of educators toward computers were assessed as well as their attitude change while taking an introductory microcomputer course. Sex and age differences were also investigated. Subjects included a sample who were surveyed by mail and a group of 22 teachers who were enrolled in a microcomputer course. A 44-item attitude questionnaire…

The purpose of this experimental study was to determine the effects of interactive video versus traditional lecture on cognitive learning and affective behaviors of undergraduate nursing students. It was hypothesized that there would be no significant differences in the cognitive achievement scores of students taught by an interactive videodisk…

The development of two instruments useful in evaluating supervisory behavior is described in this paper. Form 1 of the Supervisory Behavior Description Questionnaire (SBDQ) is an ordinal-type scale originally composed of eight sub-scales and 132 triads of items. Each item is composed of a very directive statement, a collaborative statement, and a…

A study was made of effects of two different leadership treatments on perception of nonverbal stimuli relating to concepts of leaders, authority, and cohesion as measured by changes in the Semantic Differential Scale. Subjects (28 Yaqui Indian and Mexican-American members of the Neighborhood Youth Corps) were randomly assigned to an autocratic…

Two forms of the Situational Attitude Scale Women-4 (SASW-4), a 49-item inventory designed to measure attitudes toward sex roles, were administered to college students to investigate the psychometric properties of the instrument. Both forms of the SASW-4 presented seven personal and social situations, but differed in the sex of the individuals…

Four evaluation instruments were used to assess the impact of inservice and preservice training in open education techniques experienced by four teacher groups. The Semantic Differential Scale was used to determine teacher attitudes on the concepts of behavior modification, team teaching approach, parental involvement, self-contained classrooms,…

An experimental study examined the possibility that proximity error could bias results from semantic differential questionnaires. Proximity error occurs when, due to the ordering, or polarity, of the differential scales, one answer on the semantic differential results in another answer to a subsequent question being substantially changed from what…

Provides an overview of the research concerning students' perceptions of foreign nations. Compares and contrasts the various measurement techniques including the two most commonly used; semantic differential scales and pair comparisons. Suggests methods for alternative analysis and offers recommendations for future research. Includes a sample…

This paper discusses the use of a semantic differential research tool to investigate the image of Tufts University in Massachusetts. Specifically explored are the following questions: (1) What are the differences between the institution's desired image and current image? (2) Do various constituencies view the institution differently, and if so,…

The construct validity of four self-concept (SC) traits (general SC, academic SC, English SC, mathematics SC), as measured by three different scales (Likert, semantic differential, Guttman) for low- (n=252) and high-track (n=588) Canadian high school students, was assessed using both the Campbell-Fiske criteria, and a comparison of hierarchically…

Evaluation of a course in global education must determine whether a student knows basic information about the world and whether he sees himself as an integral part of that world. The evaluator is concerned with the quality of curriculum, teaching methods and materials, and with the actual content the student has learned. Both cognitive and…

Five scales designed to measure the attitudes of young children toward arithmetic, reading, and art were developed. Two of the scales (Picture and Forced Choice) were ipsative in nature; the remaining three (Millimeter, Box, and Semantic Differential) allowed the child to express a more absolute attitude about each activity. The scales were…

Describes study that investigated the difference between computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and traditional lecture instruction in teaching an office technology course. The effects of CAI on student achievement and student attitudes is discussed, hypotheses tested and pretests and posttests are described, and further research needs are suggested.…

A study was designed to evaluate the use of summated rating (Likert) scales of agreement, evaluation, and frequency. The subjects, 58 female and 45 male college students, rank ordered the descriptive adjectives for the areas of agreement, evaluation, and frequency on a scale of 1 to 100. They also completed the Personal Report of Communication…