Paper presents derivations of expressions for functions for any absorbing Markov-chain model. (Author)

Briefly documents psychometric and clinical deficiencies of the Geist Picture Interest Inventory: Deaf Form: Male as reason to develop new instruments. (AG)

The role of measurement in education is analyzed in terms of the multiple choice question suggested by the title, and new domains which are opened by building systemetrically on a sound psychometric base are illustrated. (MS)

Minimum trace factor analysis has been used to find the greatest lower bound to reliability. This technique, however, fails to be scale free. A solution to the scale problem is proposed through the maximization of the greatest lower bound as the function of weights. (Author/JKS)

One of the major theoretical and practical developments in testing is latent trait analysis and item response theory. This report provides a guide for practitioners in understanding, evaluating, and using these developments to meet their testing needs. (Author)

A chronological listing (1938-1978) of 78 published works by Professor Edwin Peel of the University of Birmingham, England. (SJL)

A general method of scaling pairwise preference data is presented that may be used without prior knowledge about the nature of the relationship between an observation and the process giving rise to it. The method involves a monotone transformation and is similar to the B-SPLINE approach. (Author/JKS)

Two applications of Kristof's theorem on traces of matrix products are presented in order to highlight their utility for psychometric theory and studies. (Author/JKS)

"Operating metaphors" that people unconsciously use to understand life and work experiences may limit behavior and performance. A psychometric instrument under development can reveal a person's underlying metaphors as a first step to changing them. (SK)

The psychometric properties of three coping inventories are examined: (1) the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (N. Endler and J. Parker, 1994); (2) the COPE (C. Carver and others, 1989); and (3) the Coping Strategies Inventory (D. Tobin and others, 1989). Three general factors were found across the three instruments. (SLD)

Results of a battery of psychometric and chronometric tests administered to 90 adults show that inspection time (IT) and decision time measured different processes, and that Wechsler performance IQ does not measure fluid ability. Findings suggest that IT does not measure fluid ability, but whether information processing speed is common to all…

Studied the factor structure and other psychometric properties of S. Harter's (1988) Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents for 174 African American early adolescents. Findings yielded six conceptually relevant factors and also indicated gender differences in several domains. (SLD)

Individuals with a strong career direction are more likely to be positive about organizational change. A career development workshop involving psychometrics helps individuals create personal development plans that encompass both personal needs/aspirations and the impact of the organizational environment. (SK)

Suggests that members of the educational measurement community are at least in part responsible for the fact that many U.S. children are receiving a reduced quality education because of the increasing misuse of educational tests. Assessment personnel have failed to speak out against the use of tests to assess school quality. (SLD)