This study successfully replicated and extended previous research on cognitive preferences of talented high school students, using the Science Cognitive Preference Inventory (SCPI). Four modes of cognitive preference were interpreted: (1) factual information or recall; (2) principles; (3) questioning; and (4) practical applications. (CP)

Describes four science attitude scales which have been developed and validated in Australian schools. The scales have satisfactory internal consistency, discriminant validity and economy--each consisting of only six to eight items. In previous use, boys exhibited significantly higher attitudes in three of four instruments. (CP)

The rationale and development of a new measure of five methods of handling interpersonal conflict (competing, collaborating, compromising, avoiding, and accomodating), which attempts to control for the social desirability response bias is described. The instrument--the Management of Differences Exercise, or the MODE instrument--is briefly compared…

Consistent with the distinction between student ratings (ratings assigned) and class ratals (ratings received), various properties of the FACE Instrument scales were investigated. (RC)

Institutional averages of entering freshman scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the American College Test (ACT) were combined and edited to produce a single institutional measure of selectivity for 2,601 institutions. Correlations were made between scores and 19 institutional attributes. (Editor/LBH)

Factor patterns obtained under three different sets of directions were compared. A sample of 414 graduate education students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: administrator use, instructor use, and student use. The results indicated that the factors could not be considered invariant across the three conditions. (Editor/LBH)

Separate factor analyses of the results of the Rotter Internal External Locus of Control Scale administered to separate Anglo American and Chicano groups indicated cross-sample equivalence on two of the five factors. Implications for investigations of the cultural differences between Anglos and Chicanos are briefly discussed. (Author/CTM)

The standardized approach (Uniform Methodology) to estimating the expected parental contribution for dependent students is evaluated from an economist's perspective. The UM model is shown to fail to treat assets and income in a consistent manner, and recommendations for improvement are offered. (LBH)

A review is presented of studies regarding the construct validity of the individual purposes concepts of the Purpose Process Curriculum Framework. Aspects considered include: body awareness in space; spatial relationships; teamwork; and physiological fitness. (CB)

This study analyzed user manuals and technical supplements of 27 aptitude and achievement tests to determine whether disabled children were included in development of the tests' norms, items, reliability indices, and validity indices. Most test developers provided scant evidence that their tests were valid for use with disabled students. (JDD)

Analysis of the free speech of one- to three-year-olds (N=21) found that measures of mean length of utterance (MLU) are positively related to age, are reliable, and can predict grammatical development, although there are identifiable points in the developmental evolution of MLU and MLU-like indices beyond which their reliability and validity have…

This study sought to evaluate a measure of dyscalculia to determine its validity and reliability. It also tested use of the instrument with seventh graders and ascertained where errors attributed to dyscalculia were also present in an average sample of seventh graders. Results varied. (MNS)

An application of confirmatory factor analysis, using the LISREL program, to retrospective analysis of rating data common in health professions education was illustrated. A causal model was specified and tested. Although most measures clustered around latent traits, there was more method variance in the data set than trait variance. (Author/JAZ)

Part of a special issue on adaptive behavior, the article discusses three assessment-related issues: (1) clarity of the construct of adaptive behavior; (2) norm samples for adaptive behavior scales; and (3) predictive validity of adaptive behavior scales. Improvements are noted in the standardization properties of major adaptive behavior scales.…

Part of a special issue on adaptive behavior, the article reviews adaptive behavior research in areas which include the relationship between adaptive behavior and intelligence and school achievement, relationship between different measures of adaptive behavior, predictive aspects, declassification, group differences in adaptive behavior,…