A series of studies were conducted to develop a communication openness measure (COM) based on the concept of openness as specific message sending and receiving behaviors. A model of communication behaviors was first developed, consisting of three parts--who communicates to whom, how, and about what? Based on the model, two forms of a 120-item…

This report first presents a brief analysis of the "Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing" that provides the basis for an argument that the test user/purchaser must see the possibilities in uncommon types of assessment before any test developer/publisher is likely to make them available. Next, six criteria (theoretical…

Two of the standards contained in the third draft of the new Joint Technical Standards for Test Development and Revision are discussed: Standard 3.13, mandating the use of multicultural material and the avoidance of material offensive to any major ethnic, cultural, or gender group; and Standard 3.14, mandating research and subsequent test revision…

The distribution of a certain item response theory (IRT) based person fit index to identify systematic types of aberrance is discussed. For the Rasch model, it is proved that: (1) the joint distribution of subtest-residuals (the components of the index) is asymptotically multivariate normal; and (2) the distribution of the index is asymptotically…

The present study involved the testing of two common multiple-choice item writing rules. A recent review of research revealed that much of the advice given for writing multiple-choice test items is based on experience and wisdom rather than on empirical research. The rules assessed in this study include: (1) the phrasing of the stem in the form of…

The Office of Desegregation of the Little Rock, Arkansas, Public School District was given the responsibility for developing an instrument to evaluate the implementation of educational equity in the district pursuant to federal court desegregation mandates. Office of Desegregation personnel invited in Center for Academic Excellence staff of the…

Despite a strong tradition of research and practical applications involving perceptions of psychosocial environment in elementary and secondary science classes, surprisingly little analogous work has been conducted at the tertiary level. Consequently, in order to facilitate such work, a new instrument called the College and University Classroom…

This paper attempts to provide some initial information about the use of a variety of item response theory (IRT) models in the item selection process; its purpose is to compare the information curves derived from the selection of items characterized by several different IRT models and their associated parameter estimation programs. These…

The use by interviewers of a deliberate, prearranged, and consistent overall structure, comprising warm-up, level check, probes, and wind-up, can strengthen the content validity of interview tests. Moreover, the flexibility necessary for elicitation is increased if an established battery of well-structured tasks exists for candidates to perform.…

A project was undertaken to develop and implement domain-referenced tests (DRTs) for welders' helpers. After analyzing the results of a state survey of welding job titles and related tasks and after consulting with postsecondary educators and industry personnel, researchers developed DRTs to measure various tasks typically performed by welders.…

This report described a feasibility study designed to investigate the utility of interactive videodisc technology in testing preschool children. Computer assisted testing permits test administration with minimal training for personnel, high quality control in administration procedures, and immediate scoring and feedback. The combination of an…

Type A behavior is an aggregate of behaviors associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease. Two self-administered questionnaires used to determine the presence of Type A behavior, the Jenkins Activity Survey and Framingham Type A Behavior Pattern Scale, were administered to 150 undergraduate students at a midwestern university, along…

Reported is a study designed to identify the pattern of cognitive processes implied in teacher-made examinations in secondary school science in Lebanon and to relate the pattern to such variables as grade level, subject matter taught, and some teacher characteristics. Bloom's "Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: Cognitive Domain" was…

Presents information regarding item construction and validation procedures for a content-referenced test intended to measure functional literacy. (RB)

A brief discussion of the use of computers to assist in the preparation of tests. (HB)