Described studies directed toward development and validation of a self-report measure of social competence in dating and assertion situations. An 18-item questionnaire was derived which discriminated between client and normal populations and between clients with dating and assertion problems. It measured differential improvement following…

Self-report data were examined to identify personality-attitudinal items that correlated with polydrug use. Analysis showed that 20 items, when treated as a scale, were reliable, diagnostically accurate, and applicable to either sex. This is an initial step in development of scale for indirect measurement of use of psychotropics. (Author/BEF)

Psychometric properties of Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale were examined. Evidence supported the theoretical notion of an individual difference variable in arousal-seeking. Other evidence, however, suggested that measurement problems continue to hamper research: the total score was moderately reliable, but the subscales were only marginally…

A suicide potential scale is constructed that fits the Guttman scale criteria. The mean suicide potential scores of various age groups support the cohort model with the exception of individuals 75 and older, where it appears that maturation factors play an important role in explaining suicidal behavior. (Author)

Describes the development of a multidimensional attitude instrument, the aging opinion survey. Attitudes toward the aging of peers or known persons, toward personal aspects of aging, and toward the eldelry as general-other groups are factorially separable, and should be distinguished in attitude surveys. (Author)

For some situations the beta-binomial distribution might be used to describe the marginal distribution of test scores for a particular population of examinees. Several different methods of approximating the maximum likelihood estimate were investigated, and it was found that the Newton-Raphson method should be used when it yields admissable…

An empirical investigation of the psychometric properties of Bieri's grid form of Kelly's Role Construct Repertory Test was designed. Preliminary norm tables for scores were established which would be necessary in building arguments for external validity of research results. (Author/JKS)

A latent trait measurement model in which ordered response categories are both parameterized and scored with successive integers is investigated and applied to a summated rating or Likert questionnaire. This is a practical procedure for measuring attitudes. (Author/MH)

A problem of considerable importance in certain educational settings is determining how many items to include on a mastery test. Applying ranking and selection procedures, a solution is given which includes as a special case all existing single-stage, non-Bayesian solutions based on a strong true-score model. (Author/JKS)

Investigates two evaluative hypotheses related to test item sequence and the performance of the students who take the tests. (SA)

Majority of testing programs is designed to demonstrate the superiority of performance of one student over another rather than evaluate the degree to which an individual has mastered specific skills. The necessity of changing this orientation is discussed. (RW)

This article describes a study in which six academic and 25 shop courses offered in a special vocational high school were grouped into five clusters for each sex. Predictor tests were given to successive cohorts of entering ninth-grade students. (Author)

Psychometric measures such as ability tests and personality and interest inventories have the potential to be misused with ethnic minorities, women, and people with disabilities. Applying them fairly, giving testees opportunities for preparation and practice, and interpreting scores in the context of feedback are recommended. (SK)

Used three studies to examine a diagnostic questionnaire's psychometric properties. Results strongly supported the psychometric properties of the tool. Convergent validity and criterion validity were both supported by meaningful correspondences, and incremental validity was also supported in that the tool yielded more accurate diagnoses when…

Describes the development of a knowledge measure for the evaluation of a proactive training program for suicide postvention and gives analyses of its psychometric properties. Participants showed significant improvement in overall test scores and on several individual items following training. Analysis suggests that the measure has construct…