Discusses the use of computerized adaptive testing (CAT) in the classroom. Highlights include item response theory; sequential probability ratio test (SPRT); combining SPRT with expert system reasoning, resulting in EXSPRT; and a study of college students that examined the efficiency and accuracy of the various CAT methods discussed. (Contains 16…

This review of the Screening Assessment for Gifted Elementary Students (SAGES) and the Screening Assessment for Gifted Elementary Students-Primary (SAGES-P) looks at test content, utility, and technical considerations. The tests are commended for their provision of gifted norms. Some reservations about the tests' validity and reliability data are…

Outlines methodology employed during six-month period to integrate quantitative and qualitative research results. The project, involving mainstreamed learning-disabled students' problems with homework assignments, was designed to study educational issues through use of directed focus groups in which groups discuss specific topic in detail.…

Reports on a study of the use of musical scores and rating scales by 80 pianists who listened to 21 trials of solo piano music. Found that the use of musical scores and rating scales did not improve interrater reliability. Discovered that the subjects were less consistent when evaluating slow musical pieces than faster pieces. (CFR)

Parents and teachers of 83 young children diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder rated each child on the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS). Although there was good agreement between informants on the VABS, there was virtually no agreement on the ABC, with parents reporting more autistic and…

Explains why it is so difficult to define communicative testing, discusses problems related to communicative testing, and concludes with suggestions for further research. (15 references) (CFM)

Using a within-subjects design, computer-based and paper-based tests of aircraft silhouette recognition were administered to 83 male naval pilots and flight officers to determine the relative reliabilities and validities of 2 measurement modes. Relative reliabilities and validities of the two modes were contingent on the multivariate measurement…

A review of studies in which it was possible to compare results of health profession trainees' self-evaluations with assessment of performance by experts or objective tests found that self-assessment has potential but is poorly used. Effective training to improve validity and accuracy is available. (Author/MSE)

The reliability of residual scores created in the analysis of covariance in pretest-posttest designs, adjusted for a singe covariate, is compared with that of simple difference scores as relevant parameters vary. Little gain in reliability is created by analysis of covariance, which also suffers from reliability problems. (SLD)

A total of 211 male and 353 female gifted high school juniors completed the Vocational Identity Scale of Holland et al.'s My Vocational Situation (MVS) and the Self-Directed Search. Results suggested that vocational identity was not related to consistency or differentiation, either because the MVS may be inaccurate or the gifted population may be…

This replication study found that only 16 of 55 raters agreed on the category of reinforcement maintaining a disabled individual's self-injurious behavior after using the Motivation Assessment Scale. Additionally, only 15 percent of the correlation coefficients obtained were above 80 percent, and none of the reliability scores was above 80…

Discusses the content and cognitive specification of the third edition of the Test of Understanding in College Economics. Presents examples of the construction and sampling criteria employed in the latest and previous versions of the test. Explains that the test emphasizes recognition and understanding of basic terms, concepts, and principles with…

Twelve trained observers were randomly assigned to one of two methods of data collection in scoring teacher-student interactions. Results indicated no overall difference in observer accuracy between momentary time sampling and continuous data collection when scoring behaviors that differed along the dimensions of frequency and predictability.…

The Classroom Environment Scale, revised for use in special education classrooms, was administered to students in 79 special education classrooms in 16 residential and day treatment schools. Psychometric analyses showed that seven of the nine aspects of the classroom found in the original scale were reliably reported in special education…

A quantitative ethogram was developed for the zebra finch, using one-zero focal animal sampling on an ethologically comprehensive checklist of 52 behavioral items, and it was assessed for interobserver reliability and construct validity. Applying the quantitative methods of psychometrics allows verification of ethological theory and testing of…