Research on the validity and reliability of four tests (Group Inventory for Finding Creative Talent, Group Inventory for Finding Interests I and II, and Preschool Interest Descriptor) which use the characteristics approach in screening elementary/secondary students for programs for the creatively gifted is summarized. (CL)

Multitrait-multimethod analysis was performed on instructors' ratings from behaviorally anchored rating scales, graphic rating scales, and mixed standard scales. Two samples of 100 undergraduate students were distinguished on the basis of whether the statements on the mixed-standard scale were behaviorally specific or more generic descriptions of…

Jean Piaget's belief that children's developmental levels largely determine what they can learn is challenged. Research concerning the existence of cognitive structures in children is critiqued, and problems with administering Piagetian tasks are pointed out. Educators should not restrict children's exposure to learning because, according to…

A Filipino study of the Biggs Study Process Questionnaire, which investigates relationships between study habits and personality characteristics and fields of study, found satisfactory internal consistency reliability and correlations with school grades but not IQ for two of the three scales, but did not support the creator's proposed structure.…

Reports development and validation of a semantic differential type instrument for measuring students' attitudes toward school subjects. The instrument is comprised of 24 bipolar work pairs with three factors or dimensions: evaluation, usefulness, and difficulty. Reliabilities on various dimensions of various subjects and grade levels range from…

A scale assessing teacher beliefs concerning the responsibility for student academic success was developed and validated. The results show a striking difference in male/female teacher responses. Female teachers consistently assumed greater responsibility for the learning outcomes of their students. (JN)

Explores the issues of patient homogeneity, external validity, internal validity, choosing and implementing specific treatment modalities, therapist experience and attitudes, therapist age, reliability and validity of measures, and problems obtaining follow-up information when studying treatment of depressed elderly patients. (Author)

Critically evaluates the literature through 1977 on the Goodenough-Harris Drawing Test. Areas reviewed are administration and standardization of the man and woman scales, test ceiling, sex differences, the Quality scale, reliability, criterion validity, validity with measures of academic achievement, cultural variables, and use with the learning…

Evaluated is the Longeot test, a paper and pencil test designed to measure various aspects of formal and concrete operational thought. Information from over 500 subjects (ages 17 to 20) indicated the test to be reliable and classifications from it correlated with classifications mode using Piagetian tasks. (DS)

Describes the development of a behaviorally based performance appraisal system for assessing the performance of highway patrol personnel. The items in the present scale were developed to describe proficiency levels of specific job tasks. This characteristic is expected to enhance the objectivity of the evaluation system. (Author)

The development of a simulation technique to evaluate performance of psychomotor skills in an undergraduate nursing program is described. This method is used as one admission requirement to an alternate route nursing program. With modifications, any health profession could use this technique where psychomotor skills performance is important.…

A 100-item five-choice multiple choice (MC) biology final exam was converted to multiple choice true-false (MTF) form to yield two content-parallel test forms comprised of the two item types. Students found the MTF items easier and preferred MTF over MC; the MTF subtests were more reliable. (Author/GK)

An instrument was developed to assess secondary school students' attitudes toward science using items based on Mead and Metraux's 1957 study. Instrument reliability (0.76 in a pilot study and 0.86 in a study with 251 ninth-grade students) and construct validity are discussed. (JN)

Describes the Student Developmental Task Inventory (SDTI-2) which assesses the level of student development in terms of autonomy, purpose, and intimate relationships. The development, reliability, and validity of the SDTI-2 are discussed; student uses are suggested. (RC)

College seniors graded lecturers on teaching and course effectiveness. After the students had graduated and been working for a year, they rated teaching effectiveness for former lecturers and nominated the best and worst teachers. Increasing maturity and job experience did not significantly alter student evaluations of relative teaching…