Investigated demographic and psychological factors related to reactions to legal abortions in 62 females in an urban southern community. Results suggest that the social context and the degree of support from a series of significant persons rather than demographic variables were most predictive of a positive reaction. (Author)

A comparison was made between the Slosson Intelligence Test and the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities for 44 minority preschoolers. The mean Slosson score was 13.8 points higher than the mean McCarthy score. The correlation between the scores was .81. Effects of inflated Slosson scores for screening purposes are considered. (Author/RD)

The effectiveness of a Likert-scale and three paired-choice presentation formats in discriminating among parents' preferences for curriculum elements were compared. Paired-choice formats gave more reliable discriminations which increased with stimulus specificity. Similarities and differences in preference orderings are discussed. (Author/CM)

Tested the importance of temporal trends within absenteeism data for males and females. The data support previous findings of higher absenteeism rates for women when compared to men. The data also indicate the importance of temporal trends. Conclusions are drawn concerning the use of absence rates as dependent variables. (Author)

Starting from the premise that the assessment of second language learners' competence is a must at several points during the learning process, discusses the usefulness of laboratory testing. Argues that it allows for standardized testing, facility of test administration, easy scoring, objective measures, reliability and validity of results. (MES)

Presented is evidence bearing on the construct validity of the Estimate of Self-Competence (ESC) Scale, which was designed to measure generalized expectancy of task success. The results of correlational analyses of relationships between the ESC, expectancies of successful performance, and other measures are reported. (Author/AL)

Used aggregate ratings of teacher behavior as data for a multitrait-multimethod validity analysis. Scaled ratings using Rasch latent trait scaling model and traditional scaling techniques. Compared Rasch-scaled multitrait-multimethod matrix to the traditionally scaled multitrait-multimethod matrix. Results showed Rasch scaling resulted in higher…

Discusses two important theoretical notions about work training and adjustment: (1) a theory of career development by Crites and Super and (2) Rotter's social learning theory, as it relates to locus of control. The focus of the discussion is on recent research demonstrating the relationship between the two variables. (Author)

A model is described which illustrates two general uses of multiple analyses to evaluate quasi-experiments: obtaining estimates of the treatment effect, and checking the validity of the experiment. (MH)

Issues related to the preceding research report (TM 504 895) are discussed: (1) necessary assumptions for assessing reciprocal causal effects; (2) validity of Felson and Bohrnstedt's findings; and (3) reconciliation of this report and the preceding experimental results. (Author/GDC)

An abbreviated battery of eight screening tests was administered to 407 White first-grade boys. Discriminant analysis showed that 75 percent of those identified as being at high risk of reading failure did exhibit severe or mild comprehension problems in third grade. (Author/SJL)

This study indicates that the Modified Questionnaire on the Occupational Status of Women may be reliably and validly used to measure counselors' and counselor educators' attitudes with respect to the occupational status of women. Construct validity of the questionnaire should be reevaluated when suitable data become available. (Author/AL)

By drawing analogies to the history of mental testing, the author concludes that the responsibility for critical evaluation and beneficial use of social indicators rests with social scientists. Future directions of critical inquiry are suggested. (Author/MH)

Undergraduates in study-skills course were classified by comparing actual with predicted grade point averages. Multivariate analyses of variance supported predicted precourse differences, but pattern of differences was not same for students of different personality types and academic achievement levels. Overall effectiveness of course was…

Discusses an instrument developed to assess the counseling needs of older persons. The Older Persons Counseling Needs Survey was administered to (N=107) older persons. Results of a statistical analysis indicated that older persons have a variety of counseling needs that are all approximately at the same need level. (RC)