As the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator becomes increasingly popular as a management and training tool, criticisms of its reliability, validity, and effectiveness have arisen. Some critics see it as a way of giving people type-based excuses for substandard performance. Proponents claim it can match people with a congruent job better than any other…

Describes a dozen ways in which reading tests are at variance in their demands with the demands of reading as it occurs in everyday life. Suggests that these sources of variance render reading tests considerably less valid as measures of real world reading behavior than most people want to believe. (RS)

A Bayesian alternative to interpretations based on classical reliability theory is presented. Procedures are detailed for calculation of a posterior score and credible interval with joint consideration of item sample and occasion error. (Author/SLD)

This study evaluated the technical qualities of a naturalistic test of reading decoding skills, the"Diagnostic Names Task." Evaluation of the measure with 25 elementary grade disabled readers examined subtest reliability, sensitivity to change resulting from instruction, meaningful clustering of subskills, and criterion-related validity.…

Reliability and accuracy of peer ratings by 32, 28, 33 general surgery residents over 3 years were examined. Peer ratings were found highly reliable, with high level of test-retest reliability replicated across three years. Halo effects appear to pose greatest threat to rater accuracy, though chief residents tended to exhibit less halo effect than…

Confirmatory factor analysis using the LISREL computer program was performed on test scores from 500 workshop participants (adults) taking the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator--Expanded Analysis. Results, cross-validated with 500 other scores, support 4 factors as well-defined constructs. Improvements are suggested for subscale reliability. (SLD)

The formula developed by R. Levine (1955) for equating unequally reliable tests is described. The formula can be interpreted as a method of moments estimate of an equating function that results in first order equity of the equated test score under a classical congeneric model. (TJH)

Sensitivity and specificity of static acoustic admittance (SAA) and tympanometric width (TW) were assessed for 116 pediatric patients. A statistically significant change in SAA was observed in immediate repeat measures. No significant change across the two sequential measures was observed for TW, peak pressure, or the estimate of ear canal volume.…

This study, involving parents of 165 children under 6-years old, revealed internal consistency and test-retest reliability of 9 of the 11 dimensions constituting the Parent Interview for Autism. Six of the test dimensions differentiated young children with autism from a developmentally comparable group with mental retardation. (Author/JDD)

Two occupational therapists rated 13 students after 1-week placements, using the Performance Evaluation of Occupational Therapy Students (PEOTS). The instrument had good interrater reliability but test-retest reliability was difficult to evaluate. Preliminary findings support the use of PEOTS as an evaluation tool. (JOW)

This study investigated the generality of the negative suggestion effect in objective tests. College students read text passages and took objective tests. Later, they rated statements' validity, including statements from the initial test. Students were more likely to consider objectively false statements true if they had appeared on the earlier…

Forty mothers, living in economically disadvantaged inner-city locations completed four parenting questionnaires (Parental Attitudes to Childrearing, Parental Acceptance Rejection Questionnaire, Raising Children, and Conflict Tactics Scale) from two to four weeks apart. Significant test-retest reliability was established for all four measures and…

Used confirmatory methodology to examine reliability and validity of Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales-III in 922 families with children with disabilities. The Cohesion Scale proposed by instrument authors remained intact. The original Adaptability Scale was divided into two scales, Adaptability focusing on leadership and family…

Argues that "goodwill," the third of Aristotle's three elements of ethos, is ignored by many contemporary researchers because of misanalysis and/or misinterpretation of data. Reports empirical research indicating the existence of the goodwill dimension as part of the structure of the ethos/source credibility construct, and provides a…

Describes a short-form assessment scale for drug involvement, providing information about its administration, scoring, and interpretation. Discusses the initial research conducted to validate the instrument and provides reliability data. Also details the development of a clinical cutting score that will help practitioners evaluate the significance…