Discusses characteristics reading passages must have if they are to be used for main idea assessment. Analyzes each grade one to grade six passage on the Analytical Reading Inventory, Basic Reading Inventory, and Informal Reading Inventory, assessing suitability for use in main idea assessment. Finds many passages are unsuitable. (MM)

Further examines the reliability of the Developing Understanding of Self and Others Affectivity Assessment Device by increasing the sample size from previous studies, and by including samples for the second, third, and fourth grade. All correlations were in the range of the two previous studies. (JPS)

Determined reliability and validity of trait form of Depression Adjective Checklist (DACL) for Sets 1 and 2 with adolescents in grades 7 through 9 (Set 1, n=199) and grades 8 through 12 (Set 2, n=380). Internal consistency, split-half, test-retest, and alternate form reliability were high, as was convergent and discriminant validity. (Author/NB)

Translated Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale, Life Satisfaction Index, and Affect Balance Scale into Castilian Spanish and Catalan and obtained responses to instruments from 151 elderly persons living in Spain. Reliability estimates for Life Satisfaction Index and Affect Balance subscales were comparable to those for English-speaking…

Composite reliability and standard errors of measurement were computed for prorated Verbal, Performance, and Full-Scale intelligence quotient (IQ) scores from a seven-subtest short form of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised. Results with 1,880 adults (standardization sample) indicate that this form is as reliable as the complete test.…

Examined the construct validity of the Middle Childhood Temperament Questionnaire. Factor analysis revealed five factors. The factors of task persistence, negative reactivity, approach-withdrawal, and activity, but not the factor of responsiveness, were determined to have satisfactory levels of reliability. (MM)

Reviews research that sheds light on the comparability of Oral Proficiency Interview and the Simulated Oral Proficiency Interview. Suggestions are provided for further research. (16 references) (VWL)

D.V. Budescu and J.L. Rogers (1981) proposed a method of adjusting correlations of scales to eliminate spurious components resulting from the overlapping of scales. Three reliability correction formulas are derived in this article that are based on more tenable assumptions. (SLD)

Developed Personal Independence Profile (PIP) as an instrument to measure aspects of independence beyond physical and cognitive functioning in people with diverse disabilities. PIP was tested for reliability and validity with 185 subjects from 10 independent living centers. Findings suggest that the Personal Independence Profile measures the…

This article describes the Scale for the Evaluation of Gifted Identification Instruments, developed for use by school decision makers. Development of the scale is reviewed in terms of five areas of assessment: validity, reliability, propriety, respondent appropriateness, and utility. Specific guidelines and cautions in using the scale are also…

Examined the validity of the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) measure by interviewing 83 mothers twice over 2 months, using different interviewers on each occasion. The results indicated that the reliability of the AAI classifications was quite high over time and across interviewers. The AAI classifications were independent of nonattachment…

Reviews commercially available instruments to assess students' study skills/habits/behavior, finding that none completely meets the standards set by the American Psychological Association or the American Educational Research Association. Offers guidance on selecting and applying these instruments in college settings. (DMM)

Outlines and discusses the nature and assumptions of the Willingness to Communicate scale. Discusses data relating to the reliability and validity of the instrument. Concludes that the scale is of sufficient quality to be recommended for research and screening purposes. (SR)

Analyses of the internal consistency of three autism scales--the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), the Real Life Rating Scale (RLRS), and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)--were conducted with 34 children with pervasive developmental disabilities. Good internal consistency was found for the CARS. Adequate full-scale consistency was found for…

Coefficient alpha was examined through computer simulation as an estimate of test reliability under violation of two assumptions. Coefficient alpha underestimated reliability under violation of the assumption of essential tau-equivalence of subtest scores and overestimated it under violation of the assumption of uncorrelated subtest error scores.…