Because previous reports have suggested that the lowered validity of tests scored with empirical option weights might be explained by a capitalization of the keying procedures on omitting tendencies, a procedure was devised to key options empirically with a "correction-for-guessing" constraint. (Author)

Theory and common sense posit that the effect of a specific facet of self-concept on Global Esteem will vary with the importance placed on that facet, but no support for this interactive hypothesis was found. Unweighted averages of 12 distinct dimensions of self-concept from the Self Description Questionnaire III correlated about .7 with Global…

One of the recurrent themes of the psychometric literature has been the idea that the incorrect responses a person makes to test items contain information that might be useful in determining the person's position on the variable the items are intended to define. The "Partial Credit" model, a member of the family of latent trait models…

Item options of shortened forms of the Graduate Record Examination Verbal and Quantitative tests were empirically weighted by two variants of a method originally attributed to Guttman. The first method assigned to each option of an item the mean standard score on the remaining items of all subjects choosing that option. The second procedure…

The problem of determining grades on a common scale for two groups offering a common paper in an examination was examined. Three theoretical methods were offered and the results of applying them to some data provided by the East Midland Regional Examinations Board were compared. (Author/RK)

An empirical method (PRESS) for examining and contrasting the cross-validated prediction accuracies of some popular algorithms for weighting predictor variables was advanced and examined. The sample specific PRESS method was suggested as most appropriate when selecting among several alternative weighting algorithms to achieve maximum…

The purpose of the study was to determine whether a subject weighted (SW) multiple-choice test taking procedure would result in higher and more reliable scores than the conventional (C) multiple-choice test taking procedure in general at different levels of risk taking. (Author)

Examines the operationalization of marital quality indices used as dependent variables and the functioning and construction of marital quality variables. Presents both semantic and empirical criteria to judge the development of a marital quality index and a Quality Marriage Index (QMI) based on the introduced criteria. (Author/RC)

The balloting procedure whereby candidates are assigned points based upon each voter's ranking can frequently lead to a winner who is not the choice of the majority. The history of the research for a perfect, logical, democratic balloting rule is traced. "Approval voting" is explained. (Author/MLW)

Surveyed high schools as to their models and practices of grade weighting, sought opinions from college respondents who participated in past national surveys on weighting averages, and determined feasibility of recommending national grade weighting system. Found that weighted grading system is preferred by college admission professionals. (NB)

The selection of a programming language for introductory courses has long been an informal process involving faculty evaluation, discussion, and consensus. As the number of faculty, students, and language options grows, this process becomes increasingly unwieldy. As it stands, the process currently lacks structure and replicability. Establishing a…

A Child Quality of Life Index (CQLI) should be developed in order to realize three objectives: (1) to raise the consciousness of decision makers, prospective donors, field workers, and community members concerning the needs of children; (2) to assist field workers and community members in planning specific programs to meet the priority needs of…

Ten different weighting schemes were applied to the responses to a self-report deliquency measure and the resulting scores were evaluated in a multitrait-multimethod analysis. Four subscores and a total score were derived from the 35-item questionnaire which was administered orally on four occasions during an 18-week deliquency prevention project.…

When traditional grading seems inadequate, a weighted grading system may be more suitable. But a school district interested in trying a weighted system must devise a program reflecting its own needs. Two categories of weighted systems, designated here the multiplicative system and the additive system, are considered. (Author/RK)