Three groups of subject-matter experts reviewed the content validity of the Newcomer Socialization Questionnaire. Its psychometric properties were supported in a study of 492 employed students; the study was replicated with 320 newly hired workers. Socialization dimensions were positively correlated with job satisfaction and organizational…

Studied the impact of systematic item feature variation on item statistical characteristics and the degree to which such information could be used as collateral information to supplement examinee performance data and reduce pretest sample size by generating 2 families of 48 word problem variants for the Graduate Record Examinations. Results with…

Introduces a framework for systematizing the design of language performance assessments and explicating the role of tasks within them. Their design outlines fundamental components that must be rationalized and operationalized in order for performance assessment to produce coherent evidence of examinees' abilities. (Author/VWL)

Following a brief discussion of test construction by linear programing, the results of a study by F. B. Baker and others (1988) with respect to a uniform target is replicated. It is demonstrated that the result depends on characteristics of the item pool. (SLD)

Field tested Minimum Data Set (MDS) for Resident Assessment and Care Screening in two states. Findings and clinical input resulted in retention of 40 percent of original items, modification of 40 percent, elimination of 20 percent. MDS provides structure and language for understanding long-term care, design care plans, evaluate quality, describe…

Developed Grief Experience Questionnaire (GEQ) to measure various components of grief. Initial results suggest GEQ's potential to differentiate grief reactions experienced by suicide survivors from those experienced by survivors of accidental death, unexpected natural death, and expected natural death. (Author/NB)

Discusses the changes in psychological testing and the rapidity of their development. Describes trends in the role of the test user, technical methodology of test construction, and interpretation of test scores. (Author)

Linear programing was used to select items from item pools (N=1,500) based on one-, two-, and three-parameter models so that a target test information function (TTIF) was reached. Focus was on the distributional characteristics of selected items. The linear-programing approach focuses on the worst feature of the TTIF. (TJH)

A review of the literature on racquetball skills tests suggests a general skill test, the wall rally, can be a highly reliable measurement tool under certain conditions. In addition, a student's ability in relation to his or her classmates can best be judged by running a round robin tournament. (IAH)

Discusses ways of designing a review for a test, or a test itself, as a treasure hunt. Offers suggestions for how to set up the game. Presents 10 sample clues for a grammar test and 10 sample clues for a literature test. (RS)

The psychometric properties of a short version of the Profile of Mood States (POMS-SF) (37 items as opposed to 65) were studied with 600 patients and healthy adults. Results support the POMS-SF as an alternative to the original instrument when a brief measure is desired. (SLD)

This simulation study considered the effects on statistical measures of test dimensionality that result from systematic sampling variation in both a single- and a double-trait assessment model. Results suggest that there are distinct psychological and psychometric states of test dimensionality, and that psychometric unidimensionality may be…

The value of assessment activities should be judged by their contribution to what happens, directly or indirectly, between teachers and students. No one assessment can serve all ends. Alternative forms of assessment measure outcomes beyond the purview of traditional measures and are more authentic efforts to represent behavior or accomplishments…

Developed Adolescent Drug Involvement Scale (ADIS) to measure level of drug involvement, considered as continuum ranging from no use to severe dependency, in adolescents. Administered ADIS to 453 adolescents referred for treatment. Results indicated acceptable internal consistency and provide preliminary evidence of validity. Scores correlated…

Reanalysis with updated exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic methods of correlation matrices for 21 structure-of-intellect divergent production tests from the University of Southern California Aptitude Research Project suggests that the results cannot be replicated and support a higher order 2-factor oblique model of covariance among test…