Three heuristic methods of assessing the dimensionality of binary item pools were evaluated in a Monte Carlo investigation. The indices were based on (1) the local independence of unidimensional tests; (2) patterns of second-factor loadings derived from simplex theory; and (3) the shape of the curve of successive eigenvalues. (SLD)

A brief overview is provided of the Conger-Lipshitz approach to estimating the reliability of a profile or test battery. A computational example from a recent study shows how canonical reliability can be obtained through existing statistical software. (SLD)

Describes a study comparing the grades of community college students under and over 25 years of age in selected classes at 6 Virginia community colleges. Older students had higher grades on their first major exam and higher final grades in both transfer and development courses. Reviews prior research. (DMM)

Client satisfaction with outpatient psychotherapy in New Zealand was studied for 93 adult subjects who completed the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire. Clients reported a high degree of satisfaction, and there were positive correlations between satisfaction and symptom change on both client-related and therapist-related outcome measures. (SLD)

Use of parallel analysis (PA), a selection rule for the number-of-factors problem, is investigated from the viewpoint of permutation assessment through a Monte Carlo simulation. Results reveal advantages and limitations of PA. Tables of sample eigenvalues are included. (SLD)

Investigates whether the vocabulary of written comprehension questions is an independent factor in determining students' reading comprehension performance. Finds that academic vocabulary in comprehension questions significantly decreased question-answering performance. Computes simple, multiple, and semipartial correlations between vocabulary…

Finds that New Zealand students sampled were significantly less willing to communicate and experienced greater communication apprehension than U.S. students. Finds significant negative correlations for United States students between communication apprehension and humor variables (liking of humor, sensitivity to humor, and coping humor), whereas…

The relationship of teacher participation in Quality Circles to teacher satisfaction was examined for 64 elementary school teachers participating in 9 Quality Circle decision-making groups. Participation in the Quality Circles did not meet subjects' needs for achievement, recognition, or growth; and it did not increase job satisfaction. (SLD)

Describes study of undergraduate students in the United States and in China that was conducted to compare their attitudes toward computers, specifically computer anxiety. Attitude measures are discussed, statistical procedures for examining the invariance of constructs obtained from measurement scales are explained, and results indicate similar…

Discusses a survey of 185 academic librarians in Oklahoma that was conducted to examine the relationships between institutional provision of release time and financial assistance and librarians' participation in various types of professional development activities. Results are reported that indicate a strong correlation between institutional…

Reports on the results of a study of nontraditional undergraduate students that was conducted to determine whether self-directedness in learner profile was a predictor of computer anxiety. Analysis based on the Oddi Continuing Learning Inventory and Oetting's Computer Anxiety Scale (COMPAS) indicates that self-directedness is a useful predictor.…

This study analyzes the interstate variation in the achievement gap among racial and social groups and the ways in which state policies contribute to the achievement gap. The primary data source is the National Assessment of Educational Progress Trial State Assessment. Influences of state policies are noted and discussed. (SLD)

Compares the performance of the Target and Freestyle commercial search engines. Discusses traditional performance measures such as precision and recall, analytic models of performance, document rankings, query difficulty and correlates with other performance characteristics, and future research needs. (LRW)

Describes a study that investigated the relationship between student self-beliefs and science achievement using data from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), and examined the generalizability of previous findings for students in a cross-cultural context. Results indicate self-beliefs were associated with higher science…

Focuses on Latina mothers' well-being and the effects of having a mentally retarded child. Results, based on 148 mothers with and 101 without children with mental retardation, show that the former exhibited significantly higher levels of depressive symptomatology relative to controls. Depression was predicted by low family cohesion and other…