The Rasch model of test theory is described in general terms, compared with latent trait theory, and shown to have interesting applications for the measurement of affective as well as cognitive traits. Three assumption of the Rasch model are stated to support the conclusion that calibration of the items and tests is independent of the examinee…

Although methods for estimating item difficulty are abundant, little attention has been given to the psychological processes involved when a student responds to a single test item. Mastery of educational objectives is not proven when a student supplies the correct answer to items intended to test these objectives. The student's problem solving…

Speech specialists have developed a taxonomy of concepts and abilities related to verbal argument as used in ordinary discourse. This study represents one possible step in the validation of that taxonomy: an evaluation of the Wisconsin Tests of Testimony and Reasoning Assessment (WISTTRA) and the underlying abilities or dimensions measured by…

This experiment was designed to assess the ability of item writers to construct truly parallel tests based on a "duplicate-construction experiment" in which Cronbach argues that if the universe description and sampling are ideally refined, the two independently constructed tests will be entirely equivalent, and that within the limits of item…

The 1961 meeting of the Western Regional Conference on Testing Problems dealt with changes in education and measurement since Sputnik. The following papers were presented: (1) "Who's Testing Whom and for What?" by Daniel D. Feder; (2) "Recent Development and Problems in the Teaching of English" by Alfred H. Grommon; (3) "The New Foreign Language…

True-false achievement test items written by typical classroom teachers show about two-thirds of the discrimination of their multiple-choice test items. This is about what should be expected in view of the higher probability of chance success on the true-false items. However, at least half again as many true-false items as multiple-choice items…

This document, part one of a report on performance contracting, explores its basic issues and considerations and is addressed to educational decisionmakers. The evolution of performance contracting is traced and the concept as it is currently being applied in education is discussed. The second part will analyze the outcomes of some programs when…

An intelligence test for use with rural Filipinos was developed using 25 general information questions. The questions bear on experiences common to most rural Filipinos. The methods of development and analyses are described. It is suggested that this strategy could be used with other peasant groups where an assessment of intelligence is needed in…

This paper presents a framework for conceptualizing the different ways in which instructions in experimental tasks may be misunderstood. Five possible types of misunderstandings are identified and discussed: (1) misunderstanding of a particular term in the instructions; (2) misinterpretation of a task because the instructions are difficult to…

A review of current theory and research related to writing ability leads to the conclusion that there is no existing test, instrument, or set of procedures which will provide valid data regarding the writing abilities of individuals. As an alternative approach, a textual cognition model of written communicative competence is proposed and…

The essay-type items of postgraduate achievement examinations in psychology for students at the University of Peshawar were classified, and the relative frequencies of the items were compared with those for psychology examinations administered at a British university. The dimensions of Analysis and Synthesis appeared to be underrepresented at…

Three methods for setting performance standards for criterion referenced tests--theories, expert judgments, and practical necessity--are reviewed. The author concludes that the use of performance standards is not a promising vehicle for making societal decisions. (Author/JKS)

In discussing the problems of evaluating Canadian bilingual immersion programs, six related aspects are separately considered: (1) the research design, (2) the students tested, (3) the nature of the tests used, (4) the methods of analysis employed, and (5) the interpretation of findings. (Author/SJL)

This study determined the degree to which the Non-Language Test of Verbal Intelligence, developed to measure verbal ability through a nonlanguage medium, could measure verbal intelligence. Correlation with the Differential Aptitude Test-Verbal suggested the existence of some common, as well as some uncommon, factors between the two tests.…

Described is a study at Colorado State University that was developed to identify stressors for veterinary medical students which could be alleviated. Types of students experiencing unusual strain are also described, and changes in the educational system to meet student needs are suggested. (JMD)