Compares writing self-efficacy scales differing in response format among a group of middle school students (N=497). Results reveal that a scale with a 0-100 format was psychometrically stronger than a scale with a traditional Likert format. Also reveals that children at the middle school level can indeed make a discriminating judgment using a…

Examines construct validity and psychometric properties of the Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency Scale in adolescent psychiatric inpatients. Confirmatory factor analysis provides support for the fit of the 28-item, four-factor model. Results of regression analyses reveal that high scores on the repulsion by life and the attraction to death subscales…

It is argued that interrater agreement is a psychometric property which is theoretically different from classic reliability. Formulas are presented to illustrate a set of algebraically equivalent rater agreement indices that are intended to provide educational and psychological researchers with a practical way to establish a measure of rater…

This study compared differences in preschool children (n=201) clinically diagnosed with specific language impairments (SLI) who were and were not identified through standard psychometric discrepancy criteria. A combination of mean length of utterance, percent structural errors, and chronological age was found to be more useful for predicting a…

Comparison of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC)-Revised and WISC III IQs for 64 students with specific learning disabilities and 55 students with mental retardation (MR) found that correlations were lower than those reported in the WISC-III manual. Only Performance IQs for students with MR matched the correlations reported in the…

Provides a thorough psychometric evaluation of the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale. Provides a summary of the initial construction and development of the scale, followed by a comprehensive review of the results from various investigations on its reliability and validity. Concludes with ideas for additional research. (JPS)

A general approach to the identification of individuals mismeasured by a standardized psychological test is reviewed. The method, originated by M. V. Levine and F. Drasgow (1988), has the advantage of statistical optimality. Use of optimal methods requires a psychometric model for normal responding and one for aberrant responding. (SLD)

Marginal maximum likelihood estimation equations are derived for the structural parameters of the Saltus model, and a computing approximation is suggested based on the EM algorithm. The solution is illustrated with simulated data and an example from the domain of mixed number subtraction. (SLD)

Explores how writing instructors at "City University" grappled with crises of standardization in evaluation of students' portfolios. Details the two most severe experiences in multiple breakdowns in the project of standardization: crises of textual representation and crises of evaluative subjectivity. Examines conflicting interpretations…

Describes a 20 item self-report psychometric scale that was used to assess test anxiety levels in 67 students. Reports that the higher the anxiety level, as measured by the Revised Test Anxiety Scale (RTA), the lower the score on a reading and writing competency exam taken subsequently, and that students who received extra time on the reading test…

Determined the characteristics of established methods for measuring a child's self-perception and investigated the psychometric properties of Self-Perception for School Children (SPSC). Found that girls rated themselves higher on academic competence and artistic aesthetic competence, whereas boys rated themselves higher on negative behavior and…

Although research findings endorse abandonment of traditional skills-based views of literacy, governments are instituting models of literacy learning with psychometric measures and benchmarking. Literacy, learning, and teaching are being taken out of the hands of teachers. (SK)

Evaluates the psychometric properties of two alternative Jungian personality measures, the Singer-Loomis Type Deployment Inventory and the Personal Preferences Self-Description Questionnaire. Evidence suggests that both the measures of Jungian constructs yielded reasonably reliable and valid scores. Asserts that both measures have potential…

This study developed a test battery to assess the cognitive skills in children with physical limitations. A preliminary battery of 83 items was administered to 26 children, aged 26 to 36 months, with severe physical impairments. Rasch analysis yielded a final battery of 35 items with high internal consistency, interrater reliability, and…

Used the multicomponent latent trait model (MTLM) (S. Embretson, 1980, 1984) for 3 different synonym tasks completed by 212 and 257 Belgian secondary school students. Developed a heuristic evaluation procedure that tested features of the model and provided an explanation for why the MTLM did not fit the data. (SLD)