Evaluation research has established that college student ratings of faculty are reliable, valid, and widely used. However, resistance continues. Minimizing this resistance is crucial, and designating an influential change advocate within the institution can influence acceptance of a new system. Research on institutional contexts for evaluation…

Elucidates the concepts of evaluation, and maintains that evaluation is an integral part of music education, at all levels. Expounds on the functions of evaluation in music education, dividing the discussion into the following categories: achievement, diagnostic, aptitude, and attitude functions. Addresses the concerns and criticisms of…

Proposes a four-factor model of attitudes toward computers and describes a factor analysis conducted with preservice teachers to test its validity and reliability. Sex differences, degree of comfort or anxiety with computers, liking for computers, and value placed on computers are examined, and implications for further research are suggested.…

A computer-assisted interaction analysis system that describes behavior in small groups and focuses on active clinical problem-solving was developed and tested. Teacher and class characteristics are incorporated into the simulation, allowing feedback for improvement of medical teaching skills. (TJH)

A study compared two methods of rating medical students' performances on history and physical examination: using checklists completed by standardized patients (SPs) and databases completed by students. Results of each method were correlated with ratings of students by three physicians for each SP-student encounter. Results showed checklists…

Discusses a history professor's attempt to awaken students' interest by assigning an oral history project rather than a traditional research paper. Reports that adding to the personal dimension to the project increased students enthusiasm and introduced them to problems of historical research and historiography. Includes problems of reliability…

Discussion of performance assessment focuses on a study that was part of the International Evaluation of Achievement of computer education that tested students in grades 8 and 11 on word processing performance tasks. Results are examined to determine the useability, reliability, and validity of the process. (eight references) (LRW)

Social interactions between children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and their teachers, peers, and parents are discussed. Problematic interactions may depend on social skills deficits. Changing the focus to ADHD children who are not experiencing social skills deficits may prove beneficial. A review of the previous literature…

The Young Children's Computer Inventory is a Likert-type survey instrument designed for use by first grade students at home or in schools. Addresses the historical antecedents of the instrument, reports construct validity and reliability based upon pilot tests in the United States and Japan, and provides recommendations for the practitioner with…

A survey identified 352 psychological tests that are used in Australia but produced in other countries. About 89 percent have been standardized for use in Australia, but no local data have been compiled for some high-use tests. Responsibilities of test distributors and users are discussed. (SLD)

Examines the use of various statistical techniques for generating domain-oriented multiword vocabulary terms for natural language database systems. Conclusions show the vocabulary clustering effect should be considered when making significance calculations and that a simple ratio of subject matter relative frequency to total sample relative…

Two self-administered, self-scored, and self-interpreted career interest inventories used by adolescents and adults are described, the Self-Directed Search and its Form Easy, an adaptation for poor readers. The paper discusses test components, subtests, and theory; gender issues; interpretation; appropriateness; coding discrepancies; and…

Describes the development of an instrument for evaluating building-level school library media programs based on "Information Power," the American Association of School Libraries' guidelines for such programs. Data collection at an Oklahoma teleconference is described, the use of factor analysis is explained, construct validity is…

Reliability and validity of the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire (OSIQ) for adolescents were studied in an Australian sample of 72 male and 144 female high school students. The OSIQ was found to be reliable for appropriate research with adolescents. Further work is needed to improve item content and the present subscales. (SLD)

Assessments of 41 mentally ill adults (consumers of mental health services) of their level of functioning were compared with assessments by family members and mental health services case managers. Moderate correlations are found among the perspectives, and the relevance of the three perspectives for community-based service provision is discussed.…