This study evaluated the technical qualities of a naturalistic test of reading decoding skills, the"Diagnostic Names Task." Evaluation of the measure with 25 elementary grade disabled readers examined subtest reliability, sensitivity to change resulting from instruction, meaningful clustering of subskills, and criterion-related validity.…

Reliability and accuracy of peer ratings by 32, 28, 33 general surgery residents over 3 years were examined. Peer ratings were found highly reliable, with high level of test-retest reliability replicated across three years. Halo effects appear to pose greatest threat to rater accuracy, though chief residents tended to exhibit less halo effect than…

Confirmatory factor analysis using the LISREL computer program was performed on test scores from 500 workshop participants (adults) taking the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator--Expanded Analysis. Results, cross-validated with 500 other scores, support 4 factors as well-defined constructs. Improvements are suggested for subscale reliability. (SLD)

The formula developed by R. Levine (1955) for equating unequally reliable tests is described. The formula can be interpreted as a method of moments estimate of an equating function that results in first order equity of the equated test score under a classical congeneric model. (TJH)

Sensitivity and specificity of static acoustic admittance (SAA) and tympanometric width (TW) were assessed for 116 pediatric patients. A statistically significant change in SAA was observed in immediate repeat measures. No significant change across the two sequential measures was observed for TW, peak pressure, or the estimate of ear canal volume.…

This study, involving parents of 165 children under 6-years old, revealed internal consistency and test-retest reliability of 9 of the 11 dimensions constituting the Parent Interview for Autism. Six of the test dimensions differentiated young children with autism from a developmentally comparable group with mental retardation. (Author/JDD)

Two occupational therapists rated 13 students after 1-week placements, using the Performance Evaluation of Occupational Therapy Students (PEOTS). The instrument had good interrater reliability but test-retest reliability was difficult to evaluate. Preliminary findings support the use of PEOTS as an evaluation tool. (JOW)

This study investigated the generality of the negative suggestion effect in objective tests. College students read text passages and took objective tests. Later, they rated statements' validity, including statements from the initial test. Students were more likely to consider objectively false statements true if they had appeared on the earlier…

Forty mothers, living in economically disadvantaged inner-city locations completed four parenting questionnaires (Parental Attitudes to Childrearing, Parental Acceptance Rejection Questionnaire, Raising Children, and Conflict Tactics Scale) from two to four weeks apart. Significant test-retest reliability was established for all four measures and…

Used confirmatory methodology to examine reliability and validity of Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales-III in 922 families with children with disabilities. The Cohesion Scale proposed by instrument authors remained intact. The original Adaptability Scale was divided into two scales, Adaptability focusing on leadership and family…

Argues that "goodwill," the third of Aristotle's three elements of ethos, is ignored by many contemporary researchers because of misanalysis and/or misinterpretation of data. Reports empirical research indicating the existence of the goodwill dimension as part of the structure of the ethos/source credibility construct, and provides a…

Describes a short-form assessment scale for drug involvement, providing information about its administration, scoring, and interpretation. Discusses the initial research conducted to validate the instrument and provides reliability data. Also details the development of a clinical cutting score that will help practitioners evaluate the significance…

Summarizes the benefits of computerized assessment and provides a review of some practical issues concerning measurement, item and examinee characteristics, hardware, and software. Adequate measures of reliability and validity have been established for many computer-based tests, and the benefits of computer testing have been realized in applied…

Assessment of visual acuity, using Teller Acuity Cards, was combined with observations of behavioral state to indicate central nervous system activation in 24 individuals with mental retardation. Results indicate that forced-choice preferential-looking technique can be used to test visual acuity in this population unless the participant is drowsy.…

One hundred middle school students completed four measures of mathematics skills (involving basic facts and estimation) twice in one week. Criterion measures included school grades, standardized test scores, and teacher ratings. Correlation and regression analyses indicated the measures are reliable and possess acceptable levels of criterion…