Responses to various fixed test-response formats were examined for "reliability" due to systematic error; Cronbach's alphas up to .67 were obtained. Of formats tested, four-point Likert Scales were least affected while forms of lines and faces were most problematic. Possible modification in alpha to account for systematic bias is…

The psychometric characteristics of the revised UCLA Loneliness Scale in Iranian groups correlated significantly with measures of other conceptually-related variables such as depression, anxiety, and neuroticism. Factorial structure supported the multidimensionality of the scale. (Author/PN)

Item response theory was used to test cross-cultural scalar equivalence of a psychological measurement instrument. The overall modernity scale administered to Hispanic Americans and mainstream subjects was found to be reliable. No differences in attitudes were found between subject groups. (CMG)

Surveyed school psychologists (N=856) to determine the impact of PL 94-142. The results suggested that this legislation has had remarkably little impact on the evaluation procedures used or on the school psychologist's role. Two clear changes may have negative implications (e.g., an increased focus on handicapped children and increased paperwork).…

Examined the validity of a parallel form of the Primary Mental Abilities test for use with adults aged 50 to 90 years. Significant intraindividual performance gains on the parallel form were observed on the verbal and number subtests, while the effect on space and reasoning subtests was less substantial. (Author/JAC)

Provides necessary statistical information for comparing subtests of the Test of Language Development-Primary (TOLD-P) to an individual's mean scaled score at each of five age levels. While it would be convenient to use the average of these values across the age levels, this procedure is inappropriate for the TOLD-P. (Author/JAC)

Tests the relationship between locus of control and drug abuse and the influence of test instructions and social desirability. Results of research with incarcerated offenders indicated test instructions aimed at heightening social desirability artificially inflated locus of control scores. Found no significant differences between drug abusers and…

Investigates the psychometric adequacy of Steers and Braunstein's (1976) Manifest Needs Questionnaire. Research results indicate that the instrument possesses adequate stability but lacks adequate internal consistency. Factor analytic procedures fail to replicate the a priori factor structure. Results are compared with Steers and Braunstein's…

Described the development and evaluation of a measure of cognitive belief systems and thinking styles. Reliability and validity results were poor for junior college students. For university and nonstudent populations, cognition scores discriminated social anxiety. The Cognition Scale of Assertiveness is a reliable and valid measure of cognitive…

A 2.5-year longitudinal study of the reading scales of the Stanford Achievement Test confirmed the redundancy in its subtests. Strong and stable test-retest reliability coefficients were evident and supported the use of the Stanford total reading scale for longitudinal evaluations. (Author)

A large sample of 11-year-olds were observed on a perceptual maze task. Three ability level groups were formed and compared as to overall response paths and specific binary decision configurations. Explanations for observed qualitative differences and discussion of the viability of the experimental approach adopted are presented. (Author/RD)

Hypothesized that selected personality variables, could positively predict loneliness; and self-esteem and extraversion could negatively predict loneliness scores. Studied two groups of subjects: Iranian college students in American colleges and Iranian students in Iranian universities. Results confirmed the directions stated in the research…

In an attempt to assess a person's orientation toward death, a self-administered form of the Threat Index (TI) was introduced and compared to the original interview form along dimensions of validity, reliability, internal consistency, and independence from social desirability response sets. Results supported theoretical and psychometric soundness…

Two estimation procedures for the Rasch Model of test analysis are reviewed in detail, particularly with respect to new developments that make the more statistically rigorous conditional maximum likelihood estimation practical for use with longish tests. (Author/JKS)