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…

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…

Sedlacek and Brooks in measuring the attitudes of whites toward blacks with the Situational Attitude Scale (SAS) have used trained white administrators in all previous studies. The purpose of white administrators was to avoid calling attention to the racial variable being measured. However the instrument is not the entire simulus presented to…

The relationship between self-concept measures of deprived mothers and self-concept measures of their children is re-examined empirically. An accidental discovery was made correlating mothers' pre measures of self-concept to their childrens' post measures of self-concept. (CK)

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.…

Materials intended for driving knowledge test development use by operational licensing and education agencies were prepared. Candidate test items were developed, using literature and operational practice sources, to reflect current state-of-knowledge with respect to principles of safe, efficient driving, to legal regulations, and to traffic…

The sample for the 1975 field test of the Barber Scales of Self-Regard for Preschool Children came from Episcopal schools distributed widely by geographical area. The instrumentation included, besides the self-regard scales, the Self-Concept and Motivation Inventory and the Minnesota Personality Profile II, plus a demographic questionnaire. The…

The Psychoeducational Profile (PEP) offers a developmental approach to the assessment of autistic and psychotic children as well as children with related learning disabilities. Scores obtained are used in the planning of individualized special educational programs for these children. Most appropriately used with children functioning at a preschool…

Comparison of the performance of Japanese college students (N=10) on a cloze test and a test using comic strips to assess English as a second language acculturation revealed that the comics were as effective and reliable as the cloze test and that the comics' attractiveness appeared to activate students' minds. (CB)

Technical advances of the last 15 years in measurement theory and practice are described, notably criterion-referenced testing, item response theory, and computers and testing. Several remaining problems concerning the development and validation of credentialing examinations are also considered. (Author/LMO)

Provides guidelines for teachers writing machine-scored examinations. Explains the use of item analysis (discrimination index) to single test items that should be improved or eliminated. Discusses validity and reliability of classroom achievement tests in contrast to norm-referenced examinations. (JHZ)

Based on a comparison of criterion-based, checklist scoring of medical students' patient interviewing skills and the traditional method of faculty observation, it is suggested that the latter method is less reliable. (MSE)

What are the factors that made college studies easier or more difficult for students with and without disabilities? What are the obstacles and what are the facilitators? These are the questions we investigated in a sample of 74 students with disabilities (excluding students who only reported having a learning disability) and to 154 students…

This document consists of papers published in the electronic journal "Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation" during 2000-2001: (1) "Advantages of Hierarchical Linear Modeling" (Jason W. Osborne); (2) "Prediction in Multiple Regression" (Jason W. Osborne); (3) Scoring Rubrics: What, When, and How?"…

The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument to examine students' behaviors in physical education classes that might have an impact on classroom management and student learning. The study was conducted in multiple phases, including instrument development, preliminary study, content validity study, and a reliability and validity study.…