Cognitive mapping is used in this paper to develop a schemata which represents the knowledge domain or research and theory structure of the field of instructional technology (IST). Using the technique defined by Diekhoff and Diekhoff (1982), the primary set of concepts in instructional technology research were compared for similarity with all of…

Because of the limitations of previous related studies, this analysis was undertaken to examine in greater depth the relationship between television viewing, reading performance, and related reading activities. A synthesis of eight statewide assessments and an analysis of the 1984 National Assessment of Educational Progress were designed to…

This study assessed the interchangeability of the Matthews Youth Test for Health (MYTH) and Hunter-Wolf A-B Rating Scale. Data from 25 elementary teachers and 300 of their students showed these scales to be weakly correlated, and the concordance of their A-B classifications to be only slightly above that expected by chance. Weak agreement was…

The Arizona Tax Research Association analyzed the Arizona Teacher Proficiency Examination (ATPE). An item analysis of the 150 questions administered to 2,430 applicants from July 1982 through March 1983 was undertaken. A minimum point biserial correlation coefficient of .33 indicated the validity of an item. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of the…

The construct validity of written Ideaphoria and oral Ideaphoria is discussed through analysis of their content and format and their correlations with tests of divergent thinking and writing speed. The current status of research on the measurement of divergent thinking ability is reviewed. Although the Ideaphoria tests have the same content as…

A non-linear version of redundancy analysis is introduced. The technique is called REDUNDALS. It is implemented within the computer program for canonical correlation analysis called CANALS. The REDUNDALS algorithm is of an alternating least square (ALS) type. The technique is defined as minimization of a squared distance between criterion…

Linguistics, as one of the cognitive sciences, has much to offer the teaching of basic science, i.e., the teaching of how to ask and investigate interesting questions. Linguistics is particularly well-suited for teaching about the process of "doing" science because the methodology appropriate to the study of language from a generative…

Generalizability theory is based upon analysis of variance (ANOVA) and requires estimation of variance components for the ANOVA design under consideration in order to compute either G (Generalizability) or D (Decision) coefficients. Estimation of variance components has a number of alternative methods available using SAS, BMDP, and ad hoc…

There is no one structural model that defines the construct functional literacy. However, acceptable construct definitions in the literature cumulatively form some beginnings for a nomological network that relates functional literacy to the level of skills deemed necessary for survival in society. In the study, two different validation…

Techniques for maximizing discrimination between groups in norm referenced measurement to reflect sensitivity to group differences inherent in the evaluation of multilevel educational systems are discussed. Data from the Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study (BTES) were used to examine relationships between reading and mathematics achievement and…

Traditionally, confirmatory factor analytic models are tested against a null model of total independence. Using randomly generated factors in a matrix of 46 aptitude tests, this approach is shown to be unlikely to reject even random factors. An alternative null model, based on a single general factor, is suggested. In addition, an index of model…

The Sense of Coherence (SOC) construct, proposed by Antonovsky, has the following three components: (1) Comprehensibility (COMP), the cognitive sense that stimuli confronted convey structured and clear information; (2) Manageability (MAN), the sense that resources at one's disposal are adequate for successful coping; and (3) Meaningfulness (MEAN),…

This article advocates continued attention to spelling in the middle years. Students need systematic spelling instruction from grades one through eight that is appropriate to the developmental stages of learning to spell. Teachers are encouraged to include both spelling patterns and spelling strategies in their spelling curriculum and provide…