Reports on the use of a screening instrument for dissociative behaviors in two separate but related studies. Results of a concurrent validity study between the Child Dissociative Checklist (CDC) and the Child Behavior Checklist indicate significant, positive correlations. A second study found that parent-completed CDC scores differentiate between…

This study compared scores of adults (n=34) with blindness and sighted individuals on the Holland Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI) and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Findings indicated a higher incidence of unusual vocational codes selected by people with visual disabilities on the VPI and few differences between visually impaired…

The factor structure of the Kurtines Autonomy Scale, which focuses on autonomous rule compliance, was investigated with female adolescents (n=294). Factor analytic exploration was conducted by submitting the item correlation matrix to a principal components factor analysis. The results were related to counseling with suggestions for instrument…

This study found moderately high correlations for performance of 60 children (ages 4-8) on 4 grammatic completion measures: Berry-Talbott Developmental Guide to Comprehension of Grammar, Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities--Grammatic Closure subtest, Test of Language Development (Primary)--Grammatic Completion subtest, and Morphological…

This paper reviewed the psychometric properties of the DSM-III-R (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual III, Revised) criteria for autism. Results indicated that the criteria had, on average, very good sensitivity but much lower specificity. It is concluded that the DSM-III-R criteria act more like screening criteria than diagnostic criteria.…

The development of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is described based on data from a case study of a reading test. The theory of genre proposed by Kress is also discussed, along with the need for the TOEFL-2000 test development team at the Educational Testing Service to address the washback effect of the test. (Author/LB)

Developed Personal Independence Profile (PIP) as an instrument to measure aspects of independence beyond physical and cognitive functioning in people with diverse disabilities. PIP was tested for reliability and validity with 185 subjects from 10 independent living centers. Findings suggest that the Personal Independence Profile measures the…

In using preemployment tests, special attention must be paid to issues of bias, legal rulings, validity, generalization, exaggerated expectations, test quality, misuse, publishers' claims, alternative assessment, and honesty tests. (Author/SK)

This study evaluated the voiced/voiceless phonation time for /s/ and /z/ for 11 children (ages 5-10) with vocal pathology and 11 normal speaking children. Results showed no difference in /s/ durations between groups, but /z/ durations and s/z ratios were significantly different. Results are discussed in relation to task construction, instructional…

Examination of oral proficiency interview discourse suggests that the extent of interviewer accommodation is an overlooked criterion for gauging the authenticity of the interview as simulated conversational interaction and that misplaced accommodation could threaten interview validity and the rating process. (61 references) (Author/CB)

This article describes the Scale for the Evaluation of Gifted Identification Instruments, developed for use by school decision makers. Development of the scale is reviewed in terms of five areas of assessment: validity, reliability, propriety, respondent appropriateness, and utility. Specific guidelines and cautions in using the scale are also…

A three-phase study was conducted to develop and validate the Penn Inventory for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a 26-item self-report measure. Results with 83 and 98 combat veterans and with 76 general population patients and disaster survivors support usefulness of the measure. (SLD)

Outlines and discusses the nature and assumptions of the Willingness to Communicate scale. Discusses data relating to the reliability and validity of the instrument. Concludes that the scale is of sufficient quality to be recommended for research and screening purposes. (SR)

Analyses of the internal consistency of three autism scales--the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), the Real Life Rating Scale (RLRS), and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS)--were conducted with 34 children with pervasive developmental disabilities. Good internal consistency was found for the CARS. Adequate full-scale consistency was found for…

Describes six guiding principles to help training developers use content experts more efficiently and effectively to ensure training materials contain accurate, complete, and relevant information. Topics discussed include assessing content experts and the use of productivity tools, including checklists, test validation forms, and point sheets.…