Differences in agreement between observers and analysts of naturalistic narrative data cause problems in observation research. This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of several possible solutions. (Author/GDC)

Presents a multidimensional model which includes background, personal, and environmental influences on aspiration, mastery, and career commitment motivation. Results of a test of the model on 1,863 high school students revealed the three influences related to the three motivation dimensions. Indirect and direct effects for each motivation…

A baccalaureate nursing program's review process was evaluated for technical adequacy, utility, and practicality and for legal and ethical considerations. Based on responses from six committee members and 135 admitted students, the study found that applicants' rights were protected, ethical practices were followed, and the evaluation instrument…

Five sets of paired comparison judgments were made concerning test item difficulty, in order to identify the most probable source of intrasensitivity in the data. The paired comparisons method was useful in providing information about sensitivity to stimulus differences, but less useful for assessing dimensionality of judgment criteria.…

Outlines a number of barriers in behavioral consultation, including the lack of standardization of consultation, lack of specific training of consultants, little or no consultee (teacher) training, problems surrounding target behavior identification, and external constraints to consultation. Each area is described along several dimensions that…

Compared three methods of rating thoughts: self-rating by subjects, rating by experts with thoughts presented randomly, and rating by experts with thoughts presented in context among 107 students who listed their thoughts prior to giving a speech. Results indicated all three methods were equal in predictions of speech anxiety and performance.…

The Laramie County School District Number 1 (Wyoming) developed local norms for a standardized developmental test of entering school students. The district's analysis of the differences between the local norms and the national norms is presented. Further study of the results is needed to assess the tests' usefulness. (MD)

A recommendation to renorm the Bayley Scales of Infant Development is based on (1) high scores obtained on infants in rural North Carolina (N=305); (2) published means for other samples of infants born in the 1970s; (3) recent age placement revisions of items on the Gesell Developmental Examination. (Author/JW)

The construction and refinement of the Yale Children's Inventory (YCI) is described, resulting in 11 scales (eight behavioral and three cognitive). The relationship and content of the three relevant YCI scales (attention, impulsivity, hyperactivity) are compared to the DSM-III (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) diagnostic categories for attention…

Criticizes the Detroit Tests of Learning Aptitude 2 (DLTA-2): (1) scoring criteria for the Story Construction Test are questionable; (2) the Word Fragment Test may not be practically significant; (3) the Picture Book is inconvenient to use without an index or table of contents. One major strength is the provision for combining subtest scores. (SRT)

Presents an in-class activity which uses videotaped television shows to teach time sampling, event sampling, and trait rating techniques. Students responded favorably to this activity, and many reported that it increased their understanding of the different observation techniques. (Author/JDH)

Investigates the relative and interactive effects of rater-, and ratee-, relationship-, situational-, and group-level contingencies on peer assessments of open communication. Results suggest that, given certain procedural conditions, peer assessments are highly reliable and valid. Rater bias accounted for a relatively small amount of rating…

The development and validation of the Attitudes Toward Statistics (ATS) for measuring attitude changes in introductory statistics students is described. Two ATS subscales are identified: Attitude Toward Course and Attitude Toward the Field. These were demonstrated to have both high internal consistency and test-retest reliability. (Author/DWH)

This study investigated the relationship between teachers' attitudes toward evaluation and elementary school climate. The instrument used in the study was the Organizational Climate Description Questionnaire (OCDQ) which described eight dimensions of school climate. (Author/DWH)

Describes the Luiten, Ames, Bradley Readability Variation Method for estimating the variation within a text. Concludes that it is practical and relatively accurate. (HOD)