Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence and uniqueness of a solution of the so-called "unconditional" and the "conditional" maximum-likelihood estimation equations in the dichotomous Rasch model are given. It is shown how to apply the results in practical uses of the Rasch model. (Author/JKS)

When comparing examinees to a control group or person, the examiner usually does not know the probability of correct classification based on the number of items used and the number of people tested. Using ranking and selection techniques, a framework is described for deriving a lower bound on this probability. (Author/JKS)

Examines the current position regarding the conceptualization and measurement of the achievement motive (nAch). Describes the concept, reviews various measures and evaluates their psychometric properties. (Author/RK)

Measures of repetitive finger movement are used in neuropsychological evaluation of children and adults. A comparison of the Light Beam Finger and Foot Tapping Device with the Halstead-Reitan Finger Tapping Test (R. Reitan, 1979) for 33 adults shows similar psychometric properties for both and moderate to high correlations between the measures.…

From his work with brain-damaged patients, Howard Gardner developed a set of criteria for what determines intelligence. From these he identified seven intelligences, including linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, interpersonal, and intrapersonal capabilities. An eighth intelligence, the naturalistic ability to…

Teachers are advised that analysis of covariance structures can be used to obtain estimates of variance components for use in generalizability analyses. Generalizability theory provides a flexible and practical framework for examining the psychometric properties of testing situations. This article illustrates the approach for fully crossed…

Two samples (251 undergraduates and 1,788 employed adults) completed the Career Beliefs Inventory. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses did not support the conclusion that scale scores cluster in an expected manner for either the five-factor or the four-factor model. (SK)

The objective of this study was to create an Adolescent Wisdom Scale, based on Jason et al.'s Functional Value Scale. The scale was found to have high internal consistency and three subscales which were significantly associated with less involvement with alcohol use, cigarette use, and violent behaviors. (Contains 27 references and 6 tables.) (GCP)

Documents the development of an adult sex offender risk assessment tool. A risk scale was developed based upon criminal and therapeutic outcomes of 494 sex offenders. The final risk scale included prior juvenile felony convictions, prior adult felony convictions, victim being intoxicated, denial in therapy, sexual deviance in therapy, and…

This study seeks to develop a reliable self-report instrument to assess obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in young people. The children's Obsessional Compulsive Inventory had good internal consistency, criterion validity and was significantly correlated with the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale. This preliminary new measure could…

Used Rasch measurement to study the psychometric properties of data obtained from a newly developed Diabetes Questionnaire designed to measure diabetes knowledge, attitudes, and self-care. Responses of 26 diabetes patients to the English version of the questionnaire and 24 patients to the Spanish version support the cross-form equivalence and…

Presents two approaches to evaluating gender measurement bias in mathematics testing, and discusses how to assess these approaches. The two approaches are the study of internal test structure and external test relationships. Ensuring a gender-fair test requires attention to both areas. (SLD)

Examined factors affecting the difficulty of verbal analogies in a psychometric examination by characterizing 104 analogies using 5 defined attributes. Both knowledge and process attributes were found to contribute to the difficulty of verbal analogies assessed by 10 judges. (SLD)

Correlational analyses of data from 202 students on the Work Environment Scale and Salter Environmental Type Assessment (SETA) supported concurrent validity. Factor analysis identified three factors accounting for 70% of variance: positive work settings, structure, and work pressure/task orientation. SETA appears useful as a commensurate Myers…

Describes the concept of "adequate yearly progress" as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act and discusses some of the psychometric issues it raises. Examines scaling as a means to equate tests when assessing educational gains and recommends vertically moderated standards over vertical equating of state assessments. (SLD)