Resampling results with real data for 1,000 test responses and 2,902 young adults show that for unidimensional and multidimensional models the item response theory (IRT) estimator is a more accurate predictor of the domain score than is the classical percent-correct score. (SLD)

Examined empathy, prosocial behavior, number of friends, self-reported popularity, and forms of interpersonal forgiveness as predictors of peer victimization among 52 seventh and eighth graders. High popularity was associated with low victimization, and interpersonal forgiveness scores were the strongest predictors of self-reported victimization,…

Reports on a simple classroom exercise that investigates whether students' beliefs of what they think should happen influences their measurements. The exercise also provides a framework for discussing the challenges that human belief systems bring to the discipline of using the scientific process. Results suggest that students' preconceived…

Confirmatory factor analysis of data (from 446 young adults entering college) on the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire, and prospective drinking data from 428 participants, support the hierarchical structure of alcohol expectancies and indicate that common and unique variance together predict alcohol use. (SLD)

A study of 288 hospital employees engaged in problem-solving groups found that previous group problem-solving experience, educational level, work expertise, and problem-solving confidence were the best predictors of self-efficacy. (SK)

Studies effective inquiry tasks through transforming content, scientific thinking, and resources featured in scientists' authentic practices. Investigates how 59 inner-city 6th grade students performed in real-time forecasting situations involving fronts and pressure systems. Results show that real-world situations that closely mapped onto…

Online (n=40) and face-to-face (n=60) adult learners completed the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire and a survey of class experience. Online students rated themselves as more introverted, serious, and shy; less independent; and more tough minded. Results showed how personality characteristics may be a factor in predicting attrition from online…

Data from the Chinese Personality Assessment Inventory for 187 Hong Kong supervisors showed that personality traits related to interpersonal orientation better predicted interpersonal versus personal contextual behaviors. Traits associated with moral obligation and group loyalty predicted personal but not interpersonal contextual behaviors.…

Data from a continuing education needs assessment survey of 342 forest resource managers were compared with attendance records from workshops. Findings showed that only a small percentage of survey respondents who indicate an interest in a topic will actually attend a program on that topic. Additional tools should be used to assess continuing…

The Learning Transfer System Inventory was completed by 1,616 employees in training. Pearson product-moment correlations showed that motivation and ability were most strongly related to perceptions of training utility. Multiple regression analysis revealed that utility reactions had a small but significant impact on predicting motivation to…

Describes leading attitude-behavior theories and summarizes results from past tests of these theories. Also reports on a study predicting science teachers' intention to incorporate environmental risk education based on these theories. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), augmented with past behavior, was concluded to provide the best…

Survey responses from 40 nursing directors (48 percent), 94 registered nurses (37 percent), and 422 licensed nurses (33 percent) were used to analyze organizational attributes and identify their ability to predict the turnover rate of licensed nurses in skilled nursing homes. Nurse characteristics and organizational climate (open and closed)…

The study employed measures of frequency resolution obtained from individual subjects (two normal and three with sensorineural hearing loss) to predict each subject's vowel recognition performance. A relation between impairments of frequency resolution and vowel recognition was found. The described model may be useful in predicting vowel…

Children between the ages of three and six years were asked to predict their success or failure in two tasks, each of which had five difficulty levels. Tasks were presented either simultaneously or successively. Results indicated that children made realistic assessments of their chances for success at the difficulty levels. Performance factors are…

Predicts that the social contract between employers and employees will be radically different in the future. Discusses four truths in employment and looks at lifelong learning and the role of the university. Identifies most significant aspect of new contract between employees and employers to be continued movement toward individual contracts. (NB)