In this study, we describe the development of rapid reading measures, sentences presented to students in a nearly subliminal manner, with a literal comprehension question asked following their removal. After administering alternate forms of these measures to students, we present the results from three statistical analyses to ascertain their…

Theories that posit multiplicative relationships between variables are common in psychology. A. G. Greenwald et al. recently presented a theory that explicated relationships between group identification, group attitudes, and self-esteem. Their theory posits a multiplicative relationship between concepts when predicting a criterion variable.…

The basic processes in univariate statistics involve partitioning the sum of squares into two components: explained and within. This paper explains that the same partitioning occurs in measurement analyses, i.e., splitting the sum of squares into reliable and unreliable components. In addition, it is shown how the three types of error inherent in…

A study examined the results of an administration of a series of theoretically based prototype tests to 857 high school students in California, New York, and Wisconsin. By revising the existing framework of a prior study, tests were devised which attempted to measure three interrelated aspects of school literature: background knowledge, the…

Classical test theory findings can be derived from the concepts of conditional expectation, conditional independence, and related notions. It is shown that these concepts provide precisely the formalism needed to obtain the classical results with minimal assumptions and with greatest economy in the methods of proof. (RC)

From a decision theoretic viewpoint, a general coefficient (delta) for tests is derived. The coefficient is applied to three kinds of decision situations. The first situation involves a true score estimated by a function of the observed score of a subject on a test (point estimation). Using the squared error loss function and Kelley's formula for…

Most discussions of measurement theory are focused on "scales" of measurement, but it is not clear whether reference is made to the mechanisms of measurement or the metric information derived from measurement. This emphasis on scales in measurement theory has not always provided a meaningful or fruitful description of measurement activities in…

The content of each of the Occupational and Nonoccupational scales on the Strong Vocational Interest Blank for Women was described in terms of the categories used for the Basic Interest scales. Several shortcomings of the SVIB-W were noted. (Author)

The use of Cohen's kappa index as a measure of the reliability of multiple classifications is developed. Special cases of the index as well as the effects of test length on the index are also explored. (JKS)

The standardization method for assessing unexpected differential item performance or differential item functioning is introduced. Findings of five studies are summarized, in which the statistical method of standardization is used to look for unexpected differences in item performance across different subpopulations of the Scholastic Aptitude Test.…

On the occasion of Psychometrika's fiftieth anniversary, the past twenty-five years' developments in mental test theory are reviewed. Psychometrika articles treating topics in test theory are listed in a bibliography. (Author/LMO)

Evaluates John Oller's contribution to a theory of language testing, particularly his provision of detailed empirical work. Argues that Oller's work is of sufficient importance for serious flaws to be noted. Three flaws are discussed in the areas of communication, pragmatics, authenticity, and the unifactorial/one best test approach. (Author/SED)

Personal construct psychologists have suggested various psychological functions explain differences in the stability of constructs. Among these functions are constellatory and loose construction. This paper argues that measurement error is a more parsimonious explanation of the differences in construct stability reported in these studies. (Author)

This article provides unbiased estimates of the proportion of items in an item domain that an examinee would answer correctly if every item were attempted, when a closed sequential testing procedure is used. (Author)

A study of several versions of the Educational Testing Service's Achievement Test in American History and Social Studies casts doubt upon the claim that the test accurately assesses historical knowledge. Suggestions for improving the Achievement Test are made. (RM)