Reports study of 288 graduate psychology majors to determine what variables correlated with grade point averages in psychology. Reports three clusters of significant variables: (1) high school grades in verbal areas; (2) achievement in college general studies courses; and (3) mathematics aptitude and achievement in college. (CFR)

Relationships among self-efficacy, self-esteem, personal goals, and performance over multiple performance trials were examined for 215 college students. Self-efficacy was significantly predictive of personal goals and performance, but self-esteem was not. Results indicate that the more task-specific the measure, the better the prediction. (SLD)

A meta-analytic review was conducted on published studies examining the relationship between performance on the quantitative and verbal components of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and graduate grade point average. Results suggest that the quantitative and verbal components of the GRE possess minimal predictive validity. (SLD)

The assumption called PIRC (proportional item response curve) was tested in which PIRC was used to predict item scores of selected examinees on selected items. Findings show approximate accuracies of prediction for PIRC, the three-parameter logist model, and a modified Rasch model. (12 references) (Author/LB)

This review of literature on infant habituation and recognition memory performance as predictors of later IQ concludes that the level of prediction is (1) substantial; (2) higher for at-risk than nonrisk children; and (3) not higher than the level of predictions based on parental education and socioeconomic status. (MDM)

Metanalysis of 27 studies dealing with psychology students and the Graduate Record Examinations' (GRE) validity in predicting graduate school success was conducted. Overall, results do not indicate that the verbal and advanced psychology portions are valid predictors of grades, although the quantitative section predicts grades in quantitative…

The Battelle Developmental Inventory (BDI) was administered to 121 young children, and parents rated them with the Social Skills Rating System 2-3 years after entry into the study. Correlations between the two measures revealed very weak to modest relationships, providing limited support for the BDI as a predictive measure of future…

The Slosson Intelligence Test (SIT) and the Stanford-Binet, Fourth Edition (SBIV) were administered to 95 elementary students referred because of either learning problems or potential giftedness. SIT scores predicted SBIV verbal scores more accurately than composite scores. Overall the SIT predicted SBIV scores better for students with learning…

A survey of 12 Canadian ministers of education and 18 colleges found that (1) high school graduation requirements reflect college entrance requirements; (2) the rigid pattern of course requirements for college entrance is not supported by research; and (3) conflicting views on this issue indicate a need for in-depth exploration. (SK)

Examined factors that would predict both academically successful and at-risk freshmen engineering students. Found 12 variables were correlated with grade point ratio for the 114 participants in first year of study. Applied algorithm for predicting students at risk developed in first year to 317 students and found that it more accurately assigned…

A study examined the predictive validity of 3 commonly used nursing school admission criteria among 321 students in 6 representative Israeli nursing schools. Correlations among the three indices are reported, and implications for nursing school admissions in Israel are discussed. (Author/MSE)

Examines the psychometric properties of the Early Screening Inventory (ESI), a developmental screening instrument designed to identify four- to six-year-olds at high risk for school failure. The ESI was found to be highly reliable and predictive, and it may be possible to increase its accuracy by combining it with the related Parent Questionnaire.…

Examines the predictive power of child interview for differentiating matched sample of children with emotional and behavior disorders (EBD) or learning disabilities (LD), and nonreferred children. The Semistructured Clinical Interview for Children and Adolescents (SCICA) was administered. Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and…

Clients seek genetic counseling to become informed, make better decisions, and to be reassured. Genetic knowledge, however, involves uncertainty. Genetic information conveyed in 30 counseling sessions was studied for its predictability, controllability and novelty (unexpected findings). The interrelationship of unpredictability, uncontrollability,…

Provides an in-class activity that enables students in research methods to learn about survey design and multiple regression. Explains that the students developed questionnaires in order to generate five items, as set in a multiple regression equation, that would best predict a particular outcome. Discusses benefits and drawbacks. (CMK)