The validity of the Student Study Time Survey was estimated in relationship to data from a student interview-criterion measure for 70 university students. It was concluded that this self-report form for determining the number of hours spent in study outside of class is a practical and reasonably accurate measure. (Author/BS)

The most commonly used method of collecting outcome data in health education programs is self-report, which produces a variety of measurement errors. A model is proposed to systematically identify major influences for accuracy of self-reported health behavior. Methodologic studies are described, and eight steps to increase accuracy are proposed.…

Reliability guides research design and is used as a standard for judging the credibility of findings and inferences. Using data gathered in a school health education curriculum evaluation as an example, possible errors in hypothesis testing are examined. Appropriateness of internal consistency as a measure of reliability is discussed and…

Reviews existing definitions of childhood depression and their implications for diagnosis. Evaluates better known self-report inventories, parent rating scales, psychiatric interviewing schedules, and peer nomination techniques. Addresses diagnostic issues associated with reliability, validity, consistency across raters, settings, and time and…

Examines the CUNY-WAT program and questions many aspects of it, especially the choice and phrasing of topics. (FL)

The Learning Style Questionnaire is a new 40-item semantic differential rating scale designed to assess individual learning styles within an experiential learning model. It was administered to 543 undergraduates. Results indicated acceptable reliability. Least squares factor analysis supported its construct validity. (Author/GDC)

Addresses the issue of what intelligence tests really measure and for what purpose and which populations. Examines the role of intelligence testing within the larger mental retardation evaluation process, looking at this phenomenon from both the historical and contemporary perspectives. (Author/ABB)

Findings indicate Type A behavior was related in preschoolers to ratings of aggression and impatience, but not to intelligence. Reaction times of Type B children who worked without a time limit and an incentive were significantly longer than those of Type A children and those of Type B children who worked with a time limit and an incentive.…

Two tests of critical thinking (the Cornell Critical Thinking Test and the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal) were evaluated by a panel of psychologists relative to the validity, reliability, and error of measurement standards stated in the "Standards for Educational and Psychological Tests," 1974. (PN)

Describes a study conducted at DeKalb Community College to compare placement levels established by the college's in-house Reading, English and Mathematics (REM) Test with Scholastic Aptitude Test scores. Discusses REM placement levels and their course alignments, internal challenges to the placement levels, and correlation study findings. (DMM)

The Play Rating Scale was developed to observe young children's behaviors in four different areas of play: physical, block, manipulative, and dramatic. In each area, observations focus on frequency, ability, and creativity in communicating ideas; social levels of participation; and leadership capability. A total of 2,400 three-, four- and…

Explores issues of indicator reliability, longitudinal stability, and parent-child similarity of family communication patterns (FCP). Demonstrates that several of the items in the standard FCP battery are highly unreliable for both parent and child respondents. Discusses a reconceptualization of research focusing on family norms and interaction.…

Argues that, while computers make the computation of readability formulas easy, teachers should not forget the need to apply judgment and common sense to the results. Discusses RIXRATE, a computerized version of the Rix index and compares its performance to that of the Rauding Scale. (FL)

Explains how tables of specifications (used in estabishing content validity) and item analysis (a modificatin of item difficulty) can readily be used by the classroom teacher to design well-balanced tests. (HOD)

An eight test battery was constructed to measure four specific cognitive abilities in preschool children: verbal skill, memory, perceptual speed, and spatial ability. Based on results of factor analyses of the testing of 98 three year olds, a shorter version, consisting of four tests, was devised which shows promising validity. (Author/BS)