Considers the bases of criticism of parent report as an index of their children's behavioral development and ways in which problems associated with parent report were addressed in the construction of the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventories (CDIs). Examines the nature of responses elicited from parents as they complete the CDIs. (BC)

While student evaluations of teaching performance can provide useful feedback on faculty, particularly on dimensions of course delivery, there are serious limitations. Bias and distrust are often overlooked in interpreting student ratings. An inappropriate use is in rank-ordering faculty in a department. Student evaluation data must be integrated…

A study found that interviewers of medical school applicants (n=471) were influenced in their ratings of applicants' noncognitive attributes by grade point average and Medical College Admission Test scores, when available, and by gender and race in accordance with affirmative action goals. Only moderate reliability across interviewers was found.…

Reliability and validity of 4-point and 6-point scales were assessed using a new model-based approach to fit empirical data from 165 graduate students completing an attitude measure. Results suggest that the issue of four- versus six-point scales may depend on the empirical setting. (SLD)

In a counterbalanced, within subjects, repeated measures design, 130 undergraduates were administered the Computer-Assisted Hypnosis Scale (CAHS) and the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale and were hypnotized. The CAHS was shown to be a psychometrically sound instrument for measuring hypnotic ability. (SLD)

A new instrument, the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory for Children (SPAI-C), was developed. Results from 6 studies with nearly 600 children indicate that the SPAI-C is a reliable and valid measure for childhood social anxiety and fear. It may be useful for improving clinical assessment and documenting treatment outcomes. (SLD)

Rasch calibration procedures were applied to item-response data for the 1,262 infants and toddlers comprising the standardization sample for the Mental Scale of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Analyses tend to confirm the psychometric integrity of the instrument. (Author)

Three analysis procedures were used to study the dependability and validity of ESLPE, a criterion-referenced English-as-a-Second-Language placement test developed at the University of California at Los Angeles in 1989. Findings led to the suggestion that some students might have been differently placed if subtest scores were used for placement.(38…

Discussion of the use of simulations for licensure testing highlights the Dental Interactive Simulations Corporation (DISC) project that uses interactive video patient simulations for dental education and licensure. Topics addressed include reliability, validity, test administration issues, effects of fidelity on reliability and validity, and…

Study determined test-retest reliability for 1-mile, three-quarter-mile, and half-mile distance run/walk tests for K-4 students. Students completed testing in various distance conditions. The distance run proved reliable with appropriate age/distance adjustments. Test scores were generally reliable in classifying students with regard to meeting…

Two experiments with approximately 377 newly enlisted Air Force personnel and 182 college students investigated the validity of a reading span test combining a knowledge verification task with a word memorization task. Results support the hypothesis that word recall reflects the amount of working memory functional in reading. (SLD)

A study compared student and trained observer ratings of 15 high-rated and 15 low-rated lecturers in a multi-instructor medical course to identify distinguishing delivery characteristics. Student ratings were stable over three years; trained observers discriminated between students' highest- and lowest-rated lecturers. Voice presentation was the…

The design and reliability testing of two instruments--the Macro Argumentation Structure (MARS) and the Coalition forming and Dominance (CODOM)--to assess the deliberation process (argumentation and interaction) during curriculum conferences/decision making are reported. The study was conducted at the Department of Education of the University of…

The Alcoholism Intervention Performance Evaluation was developed to evaluate interviewing and intervention skills. The scale can be used to provide trainees with instructional feedback or to certify interviewer proficiency. The 35-item rating instrument has 7 factors, an interrater reliability of .73, and a test-retest reliability of .89.…

The Co-worker Involvement Instrument measures involvement with supported employees with disabilities, via items pertaining to physical integration, social integration, vocational integration, training, associating frequency, associating nature, befriending, advocating, evaluating, and information giving. The instrument was found to be a reliable…