Item response theory-based appropriateness fit indices were used to identify and remove from a validation sample (n=201) those examinees whose response patterns did not match their trait levels. Although a person-fit index had little effect on validities, a multitest index was more promising. (SLD)

Developed Vulnerable Child/Overprotecting Parent Scale to measure overprotecting versus optimal developmental stimulation tendencies for parents of physically vulnerable children. Items were administered to parents whose parenting techniques had been rated as either highly overprotective or as optimal by group of physicians and other…

Developed instrument to represent knowledge standards in rehabilitation counseling certification/accreditation and identify new knowledge areas. Findings from 1,025 counselors revealed these domains: vocational counseling/consultative services; medical/psychosocial aspects of disability; individual/group counseling; program evaluation/research;…

This report describes the development of the Family Background Questionnaire, a 179-item instrument with 22 subscales designed to assess memories of family characteristics. Results with 1,020 college students in three separate studies for initial reliability and validity, factor analysis, and test-retest reliability support the reliability and…

Provides a broad perspective on results-based performance measurement (RBPM). It describes the reasons for its growing popularity in government and outlines several of the key elements and considerations that must be included in the implementation of the RBPM system in the public sector. (Author)

Two instruments, one a self-report measure and one an informant assessment, were developed to assess the strength of a person's end goals and motivational sensitivities. Results of seven studies involving 2548 adults and adolescents support a 15-factor solution for each instrument, with solutions similar to each other. Implications for a model of…

A new procedure, the Letter Memory Test, was developed for evaluating adequacy of effort given during neuropsychological testing. It is a computer-administered forced-choice recognition task. In three studies involving nearly 400 patients and community volunteers, the test discriminated among poorly and highly motivated groups, and its internal…

Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the theoretical structure of the revised Personal Style Inventory (PSI) (C. Robins and others, 1994) with 869 nonclinical adults and 101 outpatients with depression. PSI items and subscales decomposed into factor structures that were fair to good representations of the theoretical model. (SLD)

Reports the development and score validation of an instrument for measuring anxieties students experience in college chemistry laboratories. Factor analysis of scores from 361 college students shows that the developed Chemistry Laboratory Anxiety Instrument measures five constructs. Results from a second sample of 598 students show that scores on…

Examines criteria for choosing between test-centered and examinee-centered methods of standard setting in empirical terms and in terms of whether the method is consistent with the model of achievement underlying test design and interpretation and the assessment methods being used. Contains 35 references. (Author/SLD)

Describes the complexities and psychometric challenges facing efforts to devise standards-based performance assessments of teaching that are appropriate for teachers in a variety of contexts. Focuses on whether a general assessment of teaching practice can recognize culturally relevant pedagogy and suggests that such an assessment is possible.…

Proposes an algorithm that minimizes the asymptotic variance of the maximum-likelihood (ML) estimator of a linear combination of abilities of interest. The criterion results in a closed-form expression that is easy to evaluate. Also shows how the algorithm can be modified if the interest is in a test with a "simple ability structure."…

Compared four standard-setting procedures for an objective structure clinical examination (OSCE) in medical education. Applied Angoff, borderline, relative, and holistic procedures to the data used to establish a cutoff score for a pass/fail decision. The Angoff and borderline procedures gave similar results; however, the relative and holistic…

Developed a new instrument, the Basic Technology Competencies for Educators Inventory (BTCEI), using the responses of 437 undergraduate and graduate teacher education students. Results support the theoretical structure of the BTCEI. Scores for the nine domains had high internal consistency reliability and adequate stability reliability. (SLD)

Studied negative and positive responses of graduate students to items derived from the Rosenburg self-esteem test (1965). Rasch analysis reveals that to say "no" to a statement is not the equivalent of saying "yes" to its opposite, a finding with implications for test and survey construction. (SLD)