Occasionally situations arise in which a measurement does not lend itself to such traditional methods of reliability estimation as the test-retest, parallel-test, or internal consistency methods. This paper proposes basing reliability estimation in such situations on estimates of validity coefficients as lower bounds. (Author/LMO)

The consistency of factor structure of Osgood's semantic differential was examined in three different adult samples, aged 18 to 87. Three different concepts were used: the University of West Florida, Myself, and Death. Results indicated consistency for the evaluation factor and moderate consistency for potency and activity. (Author/GDC)

Examined the four-year test-retest reliability of Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) scores for 77 college women who responded to the instrument as freshmen and again as seniors. The BSRI was judged to be as reliable as other paper-and-pencil instruments which attempt to measure similar personality variables and to have adequate reliability for…

Due to grade inflation, transcripts reveal little more than courses a student has completed. Recommendation letters have become an important criterion in teacher candidate selection. Suggestions for writing a subjective recommendation are offered. (DF)

Examines five structured interview formats for assessing psychopathology in children. Presents information illustrating specific characteristics of each interview. Includes reliability and validity data, and draws implications for use of interviews in school settings. Offers suggestions for the development of structured formats and for avenues of…

Developed a 33-item, situation-specific instrument that measures assertiveness of adolescents. Based on data from 682 elementary and secondary school students, adequate reliability and validity of the Assertiveness Scale for Adolescents (ASA) were obtained when tested against several variables about which predictions could be made. (BH)

Assessed the adequacy of reporting the use of observers in counseling research. Each sampled article was classified according to the use made of the observer, the type and length of training given the observer, and the assessments made of the observers' reliability and validity. (Author/JAC)

Administered the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised, and Wechsler Preschool Primary Scale of Intelligence in a counterbalanced design to randomly selected elementary school children (N=72). Results indicated that the verbal Intelligence Quotients (IQs) were comparable, but the performance and…

Samples in research on individual and group differences may be selected based on whole scores which differ from the population mean. Children are diagnosed in clinical practice with a whole score. These procedures produce regression to the population mean which can affect accuracy and adequacy of part score interpretations. (Author/DWH)

The article reviews Consumer's Guide to Tests in Print, noting its purposes (to provide objective information about technical characteristics of standardized tests); criteria for evaluating standardizaton, reliability, and validity; and its rating system based on evaluations of selected review panel members. (CL)

Carried out four experiments in which male and female undergraduates (N=384) completed the Beck Depression Inventory under conditions ranging from absolute anonymity to a face-to-face interview. Results showed no evidence that depression is more severe or common in females. Responses appeared essentially unaffected by method of administration.…

Information was gathered from college students to observe choice of postcoital contraception (PCC) and the effectiveness of the choice. Results indicate that PCC is an effective second chance to prevent unintended pregnancy. Research methodology is presented. (Author/DF)

Addresses the issues of whether test scores are affected by the prior availability of the items on a test. Concludes that, while disclosing items significantly affects test scores, the magnitude of the disclosure effect drecreases with an increase in the size of the disclosed pool. (EKN)

The problem of determining which of several populations has the largest mean is considered. The procedure described by Dudewicz and Dalal is extended to the case of unequal sample sizes. (JKS)

Concludes that The London Procedure does not reflect contemporary research in the fields of literacy acquisition and learning disabilities. (AEA)