Describes results of research by the Test User Qualifications Working Group that can be applied to improving testing practices, including 86 test use competencies and 7 factors accounting for misuse; a test classification system; and empirically based test purchaser qualification forms. (SLD)

Construct validity and diagnostic utility of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition, Freedom from Distractibility Scale (FFD) was studied with a sample of 40 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Results support the construct validity of the FFD but cast doubt on its diagnostic utility. (SLD)

The development of the Survey of Attitudes Toward Statistics is described, and the results from several validity analyses performed with 1,203 college students are presented. Additional validity evidence was obtained through correlation with the Attitudes Toward Statistics Scale of S. L. Wise for a subsample of 221 students. (SLD)

An instrument to measure cocaine-related expectancies across a continuum of use, the Cocaine Expectancy Questionnaire (CEQ), was developed and tested with 765 college students and 87 cocaine abusers. Expectancy factors identified by the CEQ were found to be powerful predictors of cocaine use. (SLD)

Scale discriminability was examined in the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) with 151 college students and 60 depressed outpatients. The superior scale discriminability of the CES-D offers one explanation for its poorer specificity in college samples. (SLD)

Notes that interest in attachment theory among counselors and researchers has led to development of measures of attachment-related constructs. Presents overview of theoretical foundations of attachment theory as conceptualized by Ainsworth (1989) and Bowlby (1988). Reviews four self-report measures of adolescent and adult attachment. Discusses…

Assessed degree of relationship between superficial and deep psychological adjustment among elderly individuals (n=86). Found only moderate correlation between shallow and deep psychological adjustment as measured by Cantril's Self-Anchoring Scale for life satisfaction (shallow) and Eriksonian-based Measures of Psychosocial Development (deep).…

Critically examines experiment by Algozzine and Ysseldyke (1981) that found school psychologists, teachers, and other professionals overrely on referrals and underuse test scores. Examines other experiments that contradict these findings. Compares subjects, test scores, and descriptive information that subjects in these experiments received.…

To elucidate differences between normal age-associated memory impairment (AAMI) and mild Alzheimer's disease (AD), batteries of traditional memory tasks and computer-simulated everyday memory tests were administered to 56 matched AAMI-AD pairs. Results demonstrate the feasibility of discriminating mild AD through these tests. (SLD)

The utility of a Korean version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) for identifying depression was studied for 860 Korean immigrants in Canada. Evidence supports the Korean version, although it is recommended that Positive Affect items be deleted to avoid overstating psychological distress. (SLD)

Investigates the discriminant validity of a measure of attitudes toward male roles, the Male Role Attitude Scale, using data from the 1988 National Survey of Adolescent Males. Results support the argument that attitudes toward male roles are conceptually different from other gender-related attitudes. (SLD)

A survey of 48 United States and 9 Canadian undergraduate dental school clinics investigated the extent of routine use of screening blood tests for patients, test types used, and plans to increase or decrease screening test use. Six responded that they routinely test asymptomatic patients, with 2-20 tests used per patient. (MSE)

A survey of 35 postsecondary institutions with programs for learning-disabled students gathered information on the assessment instruments use to assess learning strengths and weaknesses and determine the presence of a specific learning disability. Results are reported, program characteristics are discussed, and suggestions for improving diagnostic…

D. W. Zimmerman argues that the interpretation by J. D. Gibbons and S. Chakraborti of recent simulation results and their recommendations are misleading and suggests use of an alternate test when homogeneity of variance and normality are violated. Gibbons and Chakraborti review their differences with Zimmerman's position. (SLD)

Reviews and critiques three self-report measures of parent-adolescent attachment (Parental Bonding Instrument, Parental Attachment Questionnaire, Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment) and three self-report measures of parent-adolescent separation-individuation (Psychological Separation Inventory, Personal Authority in the Family System…