Traces the formulation and norming of a questionnaire constructed for the self-reporting of English-as-a-Second-Language students on their preferred perceptual learning styles, focusing on the problem of reliability and validity in survey design. (CB)

A study assessed the feasibility of sequential testing of medical students using standardized patients. Sequential testing passes students who score well on the first segment of the test thus eliminating additional student-standardized patient encounters. Subjects were six classes of Southern Illinois University students (n=404). Results strongly…

A test that assessed student developmental stage in spelling 12 Spanish words was administered along with measures of reading/language skills to 80 children in grades K-2 in a transitional bilingual program. The developmental spelling test was easy to administer and high in internal consistency and interrater reliability. As in English versions,…

Tested hypothesis that use of different languages in telephone survey could adversely affect cross-cultural comparability of standardized research measures. Of 2,299 persons surveyed in 1988 National Survey of Hispanic Elderly People, 86.6% were interviewed in Spanish and 13.4% were interviewed in English. Factor structure associated with positive…

A test of the Career Transitions Inventory with 300 adults in transition established its internal consistency and reliability. Five factors representing psychological resources available during transition were identified: readiness, confidence, perceived support, control, and decision-making independence. (SK)

Describes an instrument that uses questionnaires and interviews to measure adolescents' potential for suicide. Describes the measure's use with a group of students involved in a school-based drop-out- and drug-abuse prevention program. Youth showed significant decreases in suicide risk behaviors, depression, hopelessness, stress, and anger in…

Study used 103 bilingual college freshmen to evaluate psychometric characteristics of the Personality Inventory for Youth (PIY) translated into Spanish. Scales and subscales of the Spanish PIY demonstrated internal consistency and temporal stability comparable to English counterparts, and multivariate analysis did not identify a language effect…

Examined psychometric properties of self-perception scales of the Berkeley Puppet Interview (BPI) with children at preschool, kindergarten, and first grade. Found that young children have a multidimensional self-concept that can be reliably measured. The BPI was sensitive to normative change and individual differences. Support for validity was…

Describes the Dyslexia Early Screening Test (DEST) and the Cognitive Profiling System, both normed and designed to be administered to children four years and older. Reliability and validity of the tests are discussed, as well as their use to identify children at risk before they fail. (Author/CR)

Considers the empirical validity of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) as a predictor of performance in a graduate psychology program. Data for 167 graduate psychology students suggest that the GRE is predictive for first-year grades but not other kinds of performance, with the exception that male performance on the GRE Analytical test was…

Reviews research on the multidimensionality of effective teaching and student ratings. Recommends the adoption of a broad construct approach to evaluation of validity criteria and potential biases in different contexts, especially in relation to multiple criteria of effective teaching, theory, and existing knowledge. (MMU)

Discusses some of the major issues faced in attempting to assess systematically the effectiveness of business-communication courses (by assessing the level of improvement of students' writing competency). Discusses goals of assessment, type of test (standardized versus custom-made), guidelines for scoring, use of results, and reliability and…

This study examined the validity and reliability of four assessments, with three instruments per domain, with 103 students at residential secondary schools for the hearing or visually impaired. Domains included generalizable mathematics, communication, interpersonal relations, and reasoning skills. Data suggest the instruments are highly…

Considers the ecological validity of tests in predicting the effects of speech and language impairment on communicative performance in real-world settings and the need for systematic observation of communicative behaviors, particularly of individuals from other cultures. Discusses whether standardized testing and systematic observation are…

A study examined the reliability and validity of the Quality of Life Instrument Package using data from 500 persons with developmental disabilities in Ontario. Data indicate that most of the instruments found in the package met acceptable psychometric standards. Appropriate uses for the full and short version are discussed. (Author/CR)