A useful method is proposed for identifying a variable as inconsistent in factor analysis. The procedure, based on the likelihood principle, is illustrated. Statistical properties such as the effect of misspecified hypotheses, the problem of multiple comparisons, and robustness to violation of distributional assumptions are investigated. (SLD)

Provides psychometric information on the second edition of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) (A. Beck, R. Steer, and G. Brown, 1996) for internal consistency, factorial validity, and gender differences. Results indicate that the BDI-II is a stronger instrument than its predecessor in terms of factor structure. (SLD)

Developed and refined an instrument designed to measure the effectiveness of school-based partnerships using four theoretical models of partnering efforts. Results based on survey responses of 297 educators and volunteers from partnerships show how Rasch analysis, bias analysis, and principal-components analysis can be used to evaluate the…

Examined the factor structure of the responses of 487 Chinese high school students to the Verbal, Math, Academic, and General self-concept scales of the Self-Description Questionnaire-II administered in China at two time points. Results support the multidimensionality and domain specificity of academic self-concepts found in Western countries for…

Uses exploratory factor-analysis and confirmatory factor-analysis to identify and cross-validate the factorial structure underlying two group intelligence tests and two group-Piagetian tests. Establishes a high degree of overlap between Piagetian and psychometric intelligence tests, most likely because both types of test appear to measure…

The psychometric properties of the Hopelessness Scale for Children (A. Kazdin et al., 1983) were examined for children and adolescents with mental retardation or a learning disability. Analyses of scores from 261 students shows a factor structure almost identical to the original structure and scale scores of adequate validity. (SLD)

Reports on the development of the Hebrew language translation of the Bath County Computer Attitude Scale among a sample of 339 undergraduate students in Israel. The data support the reliability and validity based on frequency, correlation, reliability, and factor routines analyzed with the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences).…

An alternative two-stage least squares (2SLS) estimator of the parameters in LISREL type models is proposed and contrasted with existing estimators. The new 2SLS estimator allows observed and latent variables to originate from nonnormal distributions, is consistent, has a known asymptotic covariance matrix, and can be estimated with standard…

A school work culture productivity model is reviewed, and the development of a culture productivity instrument based on the model is reported. Second-order component analysis of responses of 416 elementary school educators showed broad areas of generalization across the primary work culture components. (SLD)

Describes development and testing of the Literacy Orientation Survey (LOS)--an instrument for assessing teachers' beliefs about literacy learning and classroom practices as related to constructivism. Finds while LOS has robust internal validity and reliability, questions remain about external validity of teachers' self-reports of their…

Studied the influence of maternal substance abuse upon the placement of children in out-of-home care and the subsequent effects on mother-child visitation. Found five major factors that can promote or inhibit visiting: (1) mother's drug use and health status; (2) effect of visits on child; (3) transportation; (4) scheduling/visit settings; and (5)…

This study investigated the stability of the four factors in the Quality of Life Questionnaire, an instrument often used in quality of life research for people with intellectual disabilities. Only three of the four factors were found to be stable, raising potential concern over the use of the measure in assessing service providers' effectiveness.…

Factor analysis was conducted of responses to a transformational leadership questionnaire from 326 work force education graduate students in the United States (exploratory analysis) and United Kingdom (cross-validation). Leadership behaviors were associated with positive learner outcomes. The number of factors was confirmed in replication but the…

Reports on a sample of participants who completed a stress narrative, a measure of coping styles, and a measure of emotional distress. Findings suggest that compared with secure attachment, preoccupied attachment was associated with higher levels of intrusive psychological symptoms and higher levels of overall psychological distress, although…

Developed an instrument to evaluate teachers' professional self-concept from a multidimensional perspective, focusing on the association between dimensions of self-concept and teacher burnout. Results for 378 secondary school teachers in the Basque Country (Spain) show that a six-factor model fit the data well and reveal numerous positive…