Unfolding item response theory (IRT) models are important alternatives to dominance IRT models in describing the response processes on self-report tests. Their usage is common in personality measures, since they indicate potential differentiations in test score interpretation. This paper aims to gain a better insight into the structure of trait…

Problem Statement: Physical therapist (PT) students report discord between what they learn in the academic environment and what they experience in clinical practice. Despite increasing reporting requirements, standardized tests and measures (STMs) are not well integrated into routine clinical practice. The primary purposes of this study were to:…

A computer adaptive test (CAT) is a delivery methodology that serves the larger goals of the assessment system in which it is embedded. A thorough analysis of the assessment system for which a CAT is being designed is critical to ensure that the delivery platform is appropriate and addresses all relevant complexities. As such, a CAT engine must be…

Presents information that teachers need when undertaking affective assessment: why such assessment should be done, what should be assessed, what instruments are available, how to determine the quality of the instrument, and how to interpret scores. (Author/JM)

A computer program generating question series for achievement examinations was presented and the relative reliability of computer-generated and instructor-selected items was investigated. To provide validity for examinations generated by an original computer program, representative processes of construction and sampling were operationally defined.…

The extent to which essay and objective tests measure the same or different abilities when instruction and content remain constant is investigated. (PR)

Conducted survey of community-based counselors (N=743) to determine standardized test use for individual appraisal. Explored kinds of tests used, educational level of test user, and respondents' perceptions of importance of appraisal. Found bare majority used test instruments; Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory used most; and fewer than…

This monograph focuses on rating scales and other similar instruments being used in applied rehabilitation settings. The first of two major sections presents a general discussion of rating scales and their use. Specifically, this section includes subparts dealing with (1) reasons for using rating instruments, (2) the types of rating scales, (3)…

Do choice-type tests (multiple-choice, true-false, etc.) measure the same abilities or traits as free response (essay, recall, completion, etc.) tests? A large number of studies conducted with several different methodologies and spanning a long period of time have addressed this question. In this review, attention will be focused almost…

THESE ARTICLES ARE WRITTEN TO GIVEN ESSENTIAL FACTS ON TESTING TO INTERESTED CITIZENS. THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTING LIES IN ITS VALUE AS A GUIDANCE TOOL. TESTS REPRESENT ONLY A SAMPLING OF A PERSON'S PERFORMANCE FROM WHICH GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS ARE INFERRED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS TYPES OF TESTS DESIGNED FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES, MEASUREMENT IN SOME IS…

In choosing between criterion-referenced and norm-referenced measurement strategy we should consider the nature of the decisions to be based on the resulting scores. If the decision involves selecting some fixed quota from the high (or low) end of an available competence continuum, then norm-referenced measurement is indicated. If, however, the…

Choosing an appropriate measure of study skills is a requisite in high-quality educational programming, but the information about such tools is limited. This paper compares selected study skills measures in terms of standard psychometric properties to determine salient features of each measure. Three categories of study skills measures are…

Reasonable and practical solutions to two major problems confronting the developer of any test of educational achievement (what to measure and how to measure it) are proposed, defended, and defined. (Author/PN)

The "Mental Measurements Yearbook" (MMY) series has provided researchers and practitioners with availability and evaluative information about commercially available English-language tests for over 50 years. However, two myths exist that are believed by some users of these resources. The first myth is that there are some minimum quality…

Research on schema theory and the psycholinguistic perspectives of reading suggest that the measures of readability currently used on second language tests be reconsidered. Because foreign language readers, especially in the early stages of language learning, often do not have the necessary schema or background knowledge, teachers should include…