A problem-based, criterion-referenced examination of clinical competence was developed in order to positively influence students' learning in the direction of the faculty's clinical objectives. High satisfaction and high perceived relevance among students accompanied high reliability and validity. (MSE)

A validation study in the development of empirical measures of teacher stress is presented. Role-related, task-based, and environmental stress measures demonstrated internal consistency and provided reliable and valid multivariate assessment of teacher stress. (PN)

Outlines the benefits associated with true-false and multiple-choice tests and sets forth rules for writing effective items for such tests. (FL)

Reconceptualizes the diagnosis of reading problems, suggesting that a focus on process, prior experience, and observation during assessment will permit a more valid evaluation of readers' abilities. (FL)

A study investigated possible relationships between performance on the National Board of Medical Examiners Part I exam and personality types to identify learning styles that may predict difficulty with that kind of testing. Results show the tests are most difficult for the personality types most easily admitted to medical school. (MSE)

In a two-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni-type follow-up to detect biased items on Forms A and B of the test found that bias-in-item difficulty occurred for the Mexican-American and White groups. The need to examine the issue and reconsider popular conceptualizations of bias in testing is shown. (Author/CM)

In discriminant analyses of student performance on medical science certifying examinations developed by the faculties at a parent campus and regional campus, curriculum bias in examination items was shown to exist. Test construction procedures and exchange and review by faculties were found inadequate to prevent curriculum dependence. (Author/CM)

Results indicate that the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Revised) is a valid predictor of achievement for children referred for learning disabilities. The verbal Scale IQ, and the Freedom from Distractibility IQ proved especially useful predictors of academic achievement. (JAC)

Results of this study demonstrate student-instructor agreement on evaluations of teaching effectiveness, support the validity of student ratings for both graduate and undergraduate courses, and emphasize the importance of using multifactor rating scales that are derived through the application of factor analysis. (Author/AL)

Instruments were developed to measure aspects of self-identity: sex role identity, identification with parents, and personal identity. The instruments were tried out and tested for construct validity. Analysis provided evidence that self-identity is developmental, as indicated by significant differences in personal identity measures among adults,…

Evaluated two measures of social function in 195 older adults who underwent neurological, cognitive, and affective assessment. Found the Functional Activities Questionnaire superior to the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale in discriminating among functional levels and in predicting neurologist ratings and cognitive scores. (Author)

If researchers want to get at secondary students' true feelings and at their true usage figures of drugs, it is strongly recommended that questionnaires contain the "I now use..." category for anchoring the usage items and "I feel..." for soliciting general items. (RL)

Compared the factoral structure of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) for Anglo, Black, and Mexican-American children. Found high similarity across groups. The order of subtest difficulty was significantly correlated with subtest g loadings for Mexican Americans. Results provide support for Spearman's hypothesis with…

Reports on the development of a group self-reporting diagnostic reading attitude measure designed to assess instructional and recreational reading attitudes of elementary school children within a classroom setting. Concludes that the instrument is valid, reliable, and easy to administer and score. (FL)

Describes the development, validity, and reliability (0.91 to 0.94) of a 50-item, Likert-format scale to measure students' attitudes toward science in grades 4 through 12 (N=806). (Author/JN)