Under certain conditions, a validity Coefficient of Effective Length (CEL) can produce highly misleading results. A modified coefficent is suggested for use when empirical studies indicate that underlying assumptions have been violated. (Author/BW)

Results of this investigation indicate that item format alone may be a factor affecting the performance of deaf students and that different conclusions may be possible concerning specific course objectives mastered. (Author)

Studied the use of descriptive graphic rating scales by 11 raters to evaluate students' work, exploring different design features. Used a Rasch-model based rating scale analysis to determine that all the continuous scales could be considered to have at least five points, and that defined midpoints did not result in higher student separation…

This book discusses how to obtain test scores and, in particular, how to obtain test scores from tests that consist of a combination of multiple choice and open-ended questions. The strength of the book is that scoring solutions are presented for a diversity of real world scoring problems. (SLD)

Collected data from six samples to develop final scale revision of Twenty Statements Test (R-TST) and investigate some of its psychometric properties. Data suggest that the R-TST is a useful instrument for measuring the multidimensionality of death attitudes and yields information on several death-related dimensions not assessed by other…

Uses data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress to demonstrate the frequent lack of fidelity between cognitively complex construct definitions and the simple cognitive assumptions embedded in common test-development practices. Describes alternative,construct-centered test development approaches for each stage of the test-development…

Proposes a theoretical index of dimensionality, the theoretical DETECT index, to provide a theoretical foundation for the DETECT procedure, a way to assess aspects of the latent dimensional structure of a test. Applies the procedure to some real and simulated data. (SLD)

Presents a simple method for generating simulated plasmodes and artificial test clusters with user-defined shape, size, and orientation. For "J" clusters, indicator validity is defined as the squared correlation ratio between the cluster indicator and J-1 dummy variables. Illustrates the method through simulation. (SLD)

This study outlines the initial development and validation of a set of scales designed to detect noncontent responding on the Basic Personality Inventory. Of the scales, the Consistency Scale and the infrequent Triplets Scale were the most effective in detecting partially random protocols. These two scales would be the most effective in applied…

Presents a broad definition of "testlet" and suggests a framework for classifying types of testlets. Considers several issues that bear on the conceptualization of testlets and analyses of scores from tests composed of testlets. Suggests some research topics that seem particularly important to advancing the meaningful and appropriate use…

Identifies and evaluates alternative methods for weighting tests. Presents formulas for composite reliability and validity as a function of component weights and suggests a rational process that identifies and considers trade-offs in determining weights. Discusses drawbacks to implicit weighting and explicit weighting and the difficulty of…

Presents six computational methods based on mixed-integer programming for assembling tests from a bank with an item-set structure and evaluated these methods using mathematical programming feasibiity and expected solution times. Illustrates these methods with two data sets from the Law School Admission Test. Discusses the best approximations to…

Presents two binary programming models with a special network structure that can be explored computationally for simultaneous test construction. Uses an efficient special purpose network algorithm to solve these models. An empirical study illustrates the approach. (SLD)

Includes an interview with a noted figure in the field of language assessment. Focuses on a range of test development projects, including several related to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) scale. (Author/VWL)