An experimental study examined the possibility that proximity error could bias results from semantic differential questionnaires. Proximity error occurs when, due to the ordering, or polarity, of the differential scales, one answer on the semantic differential results in another answer to a subsequent question being substantially changed from what…

The relationship between cloze and multiple-choice tests as measures of reading comprehension at two grade levels, fifth and eighth, was investigated. The reading passages used in the testing were at difficulty levels either 2 years below, 2 years above, or at the subjects' grade level. The final subject sampling included 708 students from each…

Remarks on the practice of class visitation at the college level in English courses are directed toward revealing critical weaknesses of such practice. Examples, drawn from experience, suggest that psychological damage to the instructor often results from direct classroom observation. A more successful approach to evaluation is discussed in terms…

The report summarizes research on the development of an objective scoring system and the formulation of scales useful in the assessment of psychological development and normal behavior using a five-card, orally administered and tape-recorded version of the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). The TAT language scales which were developed represent…

Although the nongraded school idea has had widespread publicity, there is little general agreement regarding criteria for identifying a nongraded school. There is also little available evidence regarding the permanence of the nongraded organization among schools that adopted the innovation. The project considered here developed and validated…

To determine whether it is necessary for eight College Research Center (CRC) member colleges to use 16 distinct sets of weight in combining four admissions tests scores into predictive composities, a standard set of weights were developed and tested for effectiveness in predicting Freshman Average Grade (FAG). The basic sample in which weights…

Three common methodological problems in the analysis of observational data include: (1) failure to base degrees of freedom for the analysis on the appropriate sampling unit; (2) the validity of the design and data are inconsistent with the generalizations reached; (3) the statistic used to calculate coder reliability is often inappropriate and…

The major purpose of this study is to further the development of procedures which minimize current limitations of creativity instruments, thus yielding a reliable and functional means for assessing creativity. Computerized content analysis and multiple regression are employed to simulate the creativity ratings of trained judges. The computerized…

Information from tests, when considered in the context of decision theory, can play an important role in vocational development. This role is primarily one of stimulating and facilitating exploratory behavior. Objective procedures for converting test data into counseling information are discussed and illustrated with special attention being given…

Annotations of tests measuring motor development, cognitive growth, intelligence, mental health, social maturity, and concept attainment in infants from birth to 24 months of age are presented. Information is given concerning test purpose; intended groups; test subdivisions or tested skills, behaviors, or competencies; administration; scoring;…

A nontechnical approach to statistics is presented. The examples and illustrations have been drawn from the classroom and the needs of teachers who wish to measure and understand the progress of their pupils. The areas covered include the following topics: (1) different forms of average, middle value, dispersion of data around the average, and the…

It is now widely agreed that current ability measures reflect a complex interaction of environment with genetic potential. This leads to a basic measurement problem since persons with the same measured ability may vary widely in potential due to non-equivalent learning opportunities. The purpose of this paper is to present a model which may hold…

The development of Q methodology is briefly reviewed, and the methodology itself is briefly described. Finally, a number of the issues are raised relating to the use of Q. Q methodology can have fruitful applications if it is not used indescriminately. Appropriate use of Q requires careful attention to the way the problems being researched are…

The levels of performance on tests of black versus white students in 15 North Carolina public universities were examined; the validities of test scores and high school grades for predicting performance in college were also studied. Experimental variables obtained for each student included, as predictors, the SAT-V and SAT-M scores, and the…

A comparison is drawn between norm-referenced (or competitive) and criterion-referenced testing procedures as used for the purpose of assessing and grading knowledge gained from teaching. It is argued that competitive or norm-referenced grading practices are sadistic, unethical, statistically unsound, and irrelevant to course objectives.…