Identifies current issues in argumentation by reviewing writings in "JAFA," a scholarly journal with an argumentation focus. Also examines seven recent undergraduate texts in terms of their treatment of those issues. (PD)

Many studies have found that men have a higher level of economic understanding than women. Why such performance differences might matter for practical purposes is discussed. Results of a study which explored whether the gender differences found may be partly a result of the test instruments used are presented. (RM)

Teachers' questionnaire responses were used in developing an instrument designed to measure teachers' knowledge and attitudes concerning sex role stereotyping, and to explore relationships between knowledge and attitudes on sex differences. Results suggested that knowledge of sex differences does not ensure nonsexist attitudes. (Author/MJL)

Reviews 26 instruments developed to assess temperament at the infant, preschool, and school-age levels, giving particular attention to instrument content, standardization samples, reliability, and validity. It is concluded that, at present, no single psychometrically adequate instrument is available. Suggestions are made for future approaches to…

Demonstrates that valid comparative research into language teaching methods is possible when the scope of the research is limited. Discusses research findings on the use and effectiveness of language laboratory tapes. (EKN)

Discusses the hypothesis that the difficulty of a multiple-choice comprehension test does not just depend on the difficulty of the text, but rather on the text and the questions. Presents ways to evaluate the difficulty of the text, the questions on it, and the test as a whole. (EKN)

Zajonc and Bargh's (EJ 241 537) application of the confluence model to six national data sets is critiqued. Extreme differences in intelligence levels are predicted between nations, including substantial retardation for some populations. Moreover, the parameter values used do not allow mental growth functions which are consistent with previous…

Criticized the research of Young, MacKenzie, & Sherif (1980), designed to test Laws' (1975) analysis of token women in academia. The appropriateness of the study as a test of Laws' theory is questioned since no evidence is offered for the validity of the independent variables as measures of tokenism. (Author/JAC)

Distinguishes between two definitions of "token woman": i.e., (1) one of few women in a predominantly male setting; and (2) women who have made the distinctive psychological adaptation described by Laws (1975). Constantinople's critique is appropriate as an alternative to Laws' theory, but not as a criticism of the author's research. (Author/JAC)

An instrument was developed for assessment of attitude-value orientations of elementary-age Indian children. Subscales represented value dimensions upon which Indian and Anglo children were hypothesized to differ. Factor analysis and analysis of variance data which address construct validity are presented. (Author/HLM)

Describes development/validation of short forms of Individualized Classroom Environment Questionnaire (ICEQ), My Class Inventory (MCI), and Classroom Environment Scale (CES). In addition to these forms measuring perceptions of actual classroom environment, ICEQ and CES short forms measuring preferred classroom environment were also developed.…

Describes the creation and objectives of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), and reviews the findings of an evaluation of the NAEP, published in "Measuring the Quality of Education," by Wirtz and Lapointe. Focuses on the role that the NAEP can play in establishing uniform, national educational standards. (GC)

Addresses problems associated with Prediger's article questioning the usefulness and fairness of the unnormed Self-Directed Search (SDS) for females. Discusses issues of sex differences and same-sex test norming. (RC)

This study determined the predictive validity of the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory relative to that afforded by the American College Testing Program's (ACT) Assessment composite score in forecasting academic success in a three-year, hospital-based nursing diploma program, as measured by…

An Inservice Needs Inventory was developed to assess physical education teachers' inservice education needs. To test the inventory 85 teachers completed the questionnaire. Results supported the questionnaire's validity and indicated that inservice needs may be specific to subject matter, may require a range of activities, and may be readily…