The underlying structure of student ratings of instruction was explored by using 3 units of analysis: (1) individual ratings from 42,407 college students; (2) class means; and (3) deviations from class means. Class means produce a different structure, calling into question the usual robust factor structure of ratings. (SLD)

Two authors of a paper (EC 602 058) reporting a factor analysis on records referring students to special education comment on their research: how their interest developed, their reaction to critics, clinical impressions acquired from the data, and the possible bias of school personnel toward referring more boys than girls for special education.…

Examines development indicators from 1960 to 1984 for 38 sub-Saharan African countries to determine whether education is an independent factor in development. Concludes that development indicators are determined by factors including basic education; urbanization; pupil-teacher ratio; standard of living; economic growth; service sector; food…

A trilevel (macro, intermediate, and micro) analytical framework was used to determine problems in the organizational context that reduce or impede the application of training outcomes. A law enforcement job-skill training program was studied via survey responses of 322 course graduates. Factor analyses identified predictors of training use. (SLD)

Measurement properties of two response formats (bipolar and unipolar ratings) in personality assessment were compared using data from 135 college students taking the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Factorial validity and construct validity of the MBTI were supported. Reasons why the bipolar method is preferable are discussed. (SLD)

Primary and second-order principal components analyses were performed on the Quality of School Life Scale (QSL), a measure of elementary school climate, for responses of 141 fourth through sixth graders. Findings suggest three general factors, but item composition of subscales differs somewhat from that proposed by the QSL's developers. (SLD)

Examined children's perceptions of peer behaviors to identify those likely to result in social rejection. Found three behavior groups leading to negative peer evaluation: academic- disruptive, anxious-depressed, and aggressive-antisocial. Found younger children were more negative toward disruptive and aggressive behavior, older children more…

Assessed the possible confounding of preadolescents' temperament as a predictor of psychological adjustment, using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and expert ratings. CFAs demonstrated that temperament could be reliably measured after eliminating overlapping items. Negative emotionality and impulsivity were negatively related to symptom…

This study is a follow-up to a Correspondence Factor Analysis of a dataset of over six million bibliometric entries, which compared publication output patterns of 48 countries in 18 disciplines over a 12-year period (1981-1992). Several approaches to the comparison of publication output patterns and time trends are illustrated. (AEF)

Factor analysis of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale found three factors: (1) social impairment, (2) negative emotionality, and (3) distorted sensory response. Subjects with autism were distinguished from subjects with either pervasive or nonpervasive developmental disorders by higher scores on social impairment. Negative emotionality was most…

In a computerized video-game-like spatial ability measure administered to 94 university students, the number of target hits was correlated with verbal intelligence quotient. The dynamic spatial measure does not load substantially on a general intellectual ability factor, but it does provide additional evidence that dynamic spatial ability is…

Examines role behaviors of Thai public relations practitioners to determine if their perception of their roles was similar to their American counterparts. Finds that four factors and one isolate emerged from the factor analysis: manager, communication liaison, media relation specialist, graphic technician, and editor. Suggests that G. M. Broom's…

Principal component analysis of responses of 173 teacher education students showed that students recognized 5 major functions for open-book examinations. They thought that open-book examinations reduced examination stress and enabled them to monitor their progress toward graduation more effectively. (SLD)

This paper on the behavioral manifestations of child sexual abuse first reviews previous research concerning child variables, parent/family variables, sexual abuse in combination with other maltreatment, and physiological outcomes. Criteria for future research are offered and specific research needs in the areas of developmental progression,…

Examination of trends in aggression and violence in Russian youth identifies risk factors including political factors, economic factors, ecological factors, the crash of ideals and decrease of morality, cultural factors, family problems, educational aspects, mass media influences, and delinquent groups. Incidents of youth violence and aggression…