Research reported in this paper considered the construct validity of a trial essay administered in 1985-87 Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The addition of the essay caused the non-science factor observed in previous MCAT research to be more strongly defined. (Author/LMO)

Develops a conceptual and analytic framework for rural sociologists to document program results and consequences and to aid policy and program decisions. Addresses program/policy evaluation from perspectives of structural analysis, control programming, and simulation. Emphasizes dynamic, nonrecursive nature of evaluation processes. (LFL)

Responses to a 45-item questionnaire on job satisfaction administered to 410 principals in Alberta, Canada, found that contributing factors were responsibility and autonomy, principal-teacher work involvement, liaison at the district level, status recognition and task demands. Resource adequacy, salary and benefits, and rapport with students were…

This article describes the evolution of Raymond B. Cattell's data box (covariation chart), a synoptic conception of psychological data, from its introduction in 1946. Analytical techniques and related methodologies developed from this model by Cattell and other psychological researchers are discussed. (BS)

The many methodological contributions of Raymond B. Cattell to multivariate analysis are discussed in terms of contemporary issues in structural equation modeling. His factor analytic approach is compared with current modeling practices. A critical evaluation finds much of Cattell's work still innovative, technically advanced, and valuable to…

This study examines the factor structure of response to the masculinity-femininity (MF) scale of the Comrey Personality Scales for males and females. The use of confirmatory factor analysis for testing hierarchical factor structures and factorial invariance is illustrated. The findings argue that MF is a multifaceted, hierarchical construct.…

Whether "psychometric" and "Piagetian" kinds of intelligence are similar is a question of whether they have similar courses of development with age. When using factor analysis to address this issue, age effects must be eliminated in order to assess relations among measured constructs. Reanalyses of previous results were…

The Parent as a Teacher Inventory, a measure of parents' feelings and beliefs regarding interaction with their young children, was administered to 615 parents of preschool children. The failure to validate the subsets illustrates the complexity of parenting behavior and the difficulties with content vs. construct validity. (Author/PN)

Several methods for estimating item response theory scores for multiple subtests were compared. These methods included two multidimensional item response theory models: a bi-factor model where each subtest was a composite score based on the primary trait measured by the set of tests and a secondary trait measured by the individual subtest, and a…

This study used a Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) approach to investigate relationships between student motivation, higher-order thinking skills, quality of teaching and learning, teacher student relations, student satisfaction with course contribution to their learning, and active learning strategies, with a sample of 2,190 undergraduate…

Construct validity has been an issue in assessment centers literature. This study developed a model for competency-based assessment centers by integrating competency modeling, training design, assessment centers, and multi-source feedback assessment. Several propositions in conjunction with the model were also developed to help resolve construct…

This study, part of ongoing research to establish the construct validity of a science attitude assessment instrument, evaluated the instrument with 72 elementary school science teachers. The measure, "Assessment of Attitude Toward Science and Science Teaching," contains 27 statements to which the respondent expresses degrees of agreement. This…

Measures of normal variations in personality, called "psychological type," are frequently used in education (e.g., to identify learning styles) and counseling (e.g., in career counseling). However, the most frequently used measure of types has been criticized on various psychometric grounds. The present study investigated the…

This study investigated factors related to five antecedents of library anxiety among college students: (1) barriers with staff (the perception that librarians and other library staff are intimidating and unapproachable; (2) affective barriers (feelings of inadequacy about using the library); (3) comfort with the library (how safe, welcoming, and…

The purpose of this study was twofold. First, it investigated preservice and inservice teachers' observed and experienced violence at various educational levels. Second, the study determined by gender, these individuals' knowledge and awareness of violence factors. The subjects consisted of 26 university preservice and four inservice teachers in…