This article illustrates the use of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to explicate constructs underlying performance assessment tasks based on Gardner's (1993) theory of multiple intelligences. Data from Plucker, Callahan, and Tomchin (1996) were reanalyzed using CFA. A model with three factors that combined linguistic and interpersonal…

Explores relationships among test-taker characteristics and test performance. Suggests test-taking strategies play a role in mediating between test taker characteristics and performance. Findings suggests that if classroom teachers were able to determine what their students are doing while taking tests and were able to apply those strategies that…

Examined key components of the "New Look" at adolescent imaginary audience and personal fable constructs. Found that only the invulnerability and omnipotence subscales of the New Personal Fable Scale were highly related. Boys were found to believe more strongly in their own uniqueness, invulnerability, and omnipotence than were girls.…

Uses factor analysis to compare the surveillance role and communication utility of television and newspapers. Finds much variance explained by these two uses. Finds those who seek hard news on television also seek hard news in newspapers. (RS)

Described is an experiment in which factor analysis is used to identify and quantify the components of mixtures containing up to four species. Discussed are the theory, procedures, and sample results for this activity. (CW)

Describes study that compared results of two inventories, one based on cognitive psychology and one from educational research, that measured university students' study styles and strategies. Factor analyses of the inventories and correlations between are reported, and research results from the United States and from other countries are discussed.…

A 21-item scale combining and modifying an environmental paradigm and a social paradigm was used in 2 surveys. This paper compares attitudinal dimensions resulting from factor analysis. Similarities in terms of relationships between scores on the scale and preferences for energy-related options were also assessed. (Author/CW)

Structured interviews with a random sample of adult basic education students in Iowa (N=323) and an academic ability test administered to a 50 percent subsample identified reasons for participation. Factor analysis revealed 10 motivational dimensions, and cluster analysis categorized 6 subgroups: mainstream women, the urged, young adults, the…

A nationwide study examined relationships between 201 prelingually deaf adolescents' reading comprehension scores and their hearing mothers' communication strategies and skills. A potential relationship was found between reading scores and signing skill levels of mothers, but no significant relationship between mothers' communication methods and…

Reports on an experiment undertaken to explore further whether language proficiency is divisible or unitary, using the principal factor analysis, and to identify the factors involved with the scores of 58 subjects of similar language and cultural backgrounds. (Author/CB)

Examines reliability and validity of two versions of Hispanic Stress Inventory (HSI), a new instrument to assess psychosocial stress among Hispanic adults. Subscale scores found to correlate highly with criterion measures of distress. Tests showed internal consistency and supported HSI reliability. Need for further evaluation discussed. (TES)

To examine the outcomes from traditional undergraduate degree programs, 7,577 recent college graduates over 30 were surveyed. Factor analysis structured 24 outcome variables into 5 categories in which adults felt their education had a major impact: self-directed learning, human/artistic development, communication skills, logic/problem solving, and…

Examined attitudes of ambivalence and hostility toward children by drawing on a random sample of 600 couples in the early years of marriage. Based on a scale that measured perceived advantages and disadvantages of children, results showed that several alienation variables were associated with negative attitudes toward children, while several…

Four dimensions of marital well-being--happiness, equity, competence, and control--emerged in a factor analysis of 12 items asking 199 Black and 174 White newlywed couples to evaluate their overall marital quality. Dimensions were related to respondents' gender, cohabitation history, education, and income, differentially for Blacks and Whites. (TE)

The relationships between speech parameters and speech intelligibility of 40 severely to profoundly hearing-impaired adults were studied. Regression analysis revealed that speech intelligibility was predicted by a cognate-pair voice-onset-time difference measure and a measure of the stability of the volume-velocity rise time. (Author/JDD)