Potential problems such as scoring errors, interrater reliability, and length of administration in using the Adaptive Behavior Scale to assess functional behavior of severely disabled persons are reviewed, and solutions to the problems are offered. (Author/MC)

Assessed the consistency of classification of depression in college students in two studies. The stability of the Beck Depression Inventory was tested after one day, one week, and using subsequent responses for subjects retested the same day. Results showed repeated administration resulted in a decline of high scores. (JAC)

Studied whether neurologically unimpaired individuals can fake believable deficits on the Halstead-Reitan neuropsychological test battery. Results supported the belief that nonimpaired individuals of at least average IQ cannot alter their performances to appear significantly brain-impaired. (WAS)

Compared the Wonderlic Personal Test and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale for a sample of 30 adults first tested in 1976. The two tests were similar in reliability of clinical classification, but the Wonderlic demonstrated fewer practice effects. Despite its ease of administration, Wonderlic intelligence estimates appear stable. (Author/JAC)

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a Mexican version of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test could be improved by directly translating both forms of the American test, then using decision procedures to select the better item of each pair. The reliability of the simple translations suffered. (Author/BW)

The Test of Understanding of College Economics, the Test of Economic Literacy for senior high students, and the Basic Economics Test for students in grades 4-6 provide reasonably good measures of economic understanding. The tests' technical features--reliability, validity, norms, and item statistics--are critiqued. (RM)

A study using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (Revised) was conducted to determine whether the increase in reliability when both Forms L and M were employed justified the increase in time required for the longer procedure. Children in grades four, five, and six were involved in the project. (PP)

An examination of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) subtests and intelligence quotients in a diagnostically heterogeneous sample of patients referred for psychological or neuropsychological evaluation found that reliabilities and standard errors of measurement approximated normative group reports. WAIS-R is a reliable…

The internal reliability of the Speech Sounds Perception Test was examined in two independent samples. Both indicated a significantly greater number of errors on the first half of the test; the largest number of errors occurred on Subtests B and A. Reliability coefficients and a performance classification formula are discussed. (Author/CM)

Introduces the Job Components Inventory, a new job analysis technique examining the use of tools and equipment, physical and perceptual requirements, mathematical requirements, communication requirements, and decision-making and responsibility requirements. Results of a study of 100 job holders demonstrate a high reliability of the technique.…

Measured the internal consistency reliability of the Holmes Am Scale in discriminating alcoholics (N=39) from college students (N=77). Results showed the Holmes Am Scale displayed low internal consistency reliability but did not discriminate significantly between the two groups. The Am Scale was related moderately to alcohol use among students…

Describes the use of the newly developed Demographic Advertising Analysis in assessing social positions and their presentations in advertising. Young adults (N=45) rated 12 television commercials and found little difference in prestige of sexual or marital status or occupation. Outwardly religious, political, ethnic, or lower-class representation…

Results bolster confidence in Crockett's standard two-peer Role Category Questionnaire (RCQ) as a measure of cognitive complexity (construct differentiation). Satisfactorily high four-week test-retest reliability estimates were obtained for differentiation measures based either on timed or untimed versions of the RCQ. Moreover, both versions…

Rajaratnam, Cronbach and Gleser's generalizability formula for stratified-parallel tests and Raju's coefficient beta are generalized to estimate the reliability of a composite of criterion-referenced tests, where the parts have different cutting scores. (Author/GK)

Presents modifications of the Pleasant and Unpleasant Events Schedules for use with an elderly population. Constructed two revised schedules by selecting only items that met endorsement criteria with an elderly sample. Both possessed excellent internal consistency and correlated well to the original schedules. (Author)