This study evaluated multiple-choice and sentence verification technique items as on-line measures of comprehension while subjects (N=940 Air Force enlistees) read computer-presented text. Also evaluated was whether presentation of on-line questions had a positive impact on text learning. (IAH)

A study analyzed the validity of inferential, cause/effect, and main idea questions which were asked in five selected commercial informal reading inventories (IRIs). The inventories were "Analytical Reading Inventory (3rd Edition),""Basic Reading Inventory (4th Edition)"; "Burns and Roe Informal Reading Inventory (3rd…

This study examined the validity and reliability of a short obesity knowledge scale. A 12-item test was developed covering etiology of obesity, diseases related to obesity, weight loss techniques, and general information on obesity. Four test formats were compared, revealing that the scale needs further validation. (Author/MT)

Thirteen ability tests were administered as defined within a mapping sentence containing four content facets: rule type, expression mode, language of communication and dimensionality of portrayed object. Smallest Space Analysis of intercorrelations among test scores showed the radex structure of the two-dimensional space conformed to the…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a Mexican version of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test could be improved by directly translating both forms of the American test, then using decision procedures to select the better item of each pair. The reliability of the simple translations suffered. (Author/BW)

Effects of item presentation mode on degree of leniency bias in responses to field research questionnaires were studied. Two modes were examined: first with items measuring the same dimensions grouped together and second with such items distributed randomly. The random mode showed substantially less leniency response bias. (Author/BW)

Assessed the validity of short forms that reduce the number of items within subtests rather than the number of subtests. Used data from the standardization samples for the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, WISC-Revised, and WAIS-Revised. (Author)

The empirical evidence does not support the prevailing conventional wisdom that it is advisable to mix positively and negatively worded items in psychological measures to counteract acquiescence response bias. An experiment, evaluating subjects' ability to respond accurately to both positive and reversed items on a questionnaire, analyzed post-hoc…

The object of the study was to investigate the effect of differences in format on the precision of teacher ratings and thus on the reliability and validity of two teacher rating scales of children's hyperactive behavior. Attributes assessed were motor restlssness, inattentiveness, impulsivity, and aggressiveness/emotional stability. (Author/DB)

Examined the equivalence of two versions of the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory (SCII) using four combinations of paper-and-pencil and computer administrations with college student subjects (N=75). Found slightly better test-retest reliability for the computer-based SCII. (Author/ABL)

LISREL maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analyses assessed the effects of grouped and random formats on convergent and discriminant validity of two sets of questionnaires--job characteristics scales and satisfaction measures--each administered to 80 college students. The grouped format was superior, and the usefulness of LISREL confirmatory…

The validity of a four-subtest short form of the third edition of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III) and the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT) was evaluated with 42 adolescent offenders. Findings support the clinical use of the short form as a good estimate of WISC-III full-scale IQ. (SLD)

The present study involved the testing of two common multiple-choice item writing rules. A recent review of research revealed that much of the advice given for writing multiple-choice test items is based on experience and wisdom rather than on empirical research. The rules assessed in this study include: (1) the phrasing of the stem in the form of…

Examines Southwestern Bell's Interdepartmental Training Center's program of providing objective evaluations of trainers and the training process. Elements that are discussed include the evaluation format, the form of the evaluation instrument and its emphasis, the validation process, and refinements to the system. (CT)

Estimates of the validity of random short forms can serve as benchmarks against which to appraise the validity of particular short forms. Formulas are presented for estimating the validity of random short forms and illustrated with Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory data. (Author/CM)