A recent innovation in the area of educational measurement is MDT multi-digit testing, a machine-scored near-equivalent to "fill-in-the-blank" testing. The MDT method is based on long lists (or "Answer Banks") that contain up to 1,000 discrete answers, each with a three-digit label. Students taking an MDT multi-digit test mark…

A study examined the construct validity of second language listening comprehension tests that use different types of texts by determining to what degree the text's listenability facilitates or hinders comprehension. Three hypotheses were tested: (1) texts containing more listenable features, thus closer to the oral end of the oral/literate…

Research has shown that differences in perceived control can influence drinking behavior and alcoholic rehabilitation. This study examined the viability of an alcohol-specific locus of control scale. Undergraduate students (41 male and 40 female) completed a demographic questionnaire assessing age, sex, ethnicity, and drinking frequency; Rotter's…

The capabilities and hardware requirements of four microcomputer software packages produced by the Office of Educational Testing, Research and Service at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are described. These programs are: (1) the Scan-Tron Forms Analysis Package Version 2.0, an interface between an IBM-compatible and a Scan-Tron…

A study investigated the rating scale used in the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) oral interview, focusing on the concept of vocabulary underlying assessment. The study examined the differences in strategies used by fluent native speakers and non-fluent non-native speakers to avoid disruption of communication in real conversation when…

Guidelines for test developers and users are provided to insure that construction and selection of test instruments are conducted fairly. In addition to development and selection, issues of interpretation of scores; provision of information to test takers; and prevention of test bias based on race, gender, or ethnicity are addressed. Twenty-one…

Although the development of process skills has been accepted as being an important part of elementary school curricula in science and in other subjects, few valid and reliable tests exist for their assessment. Therefore, a test is currently being developed to assess these skills. It is designed to meet seven criteria (such as testing process…

The study reports on the first of several investigations into the antecedents and consequences of students' study activities across junior high school through college years. The development and validation of a self-report instrument, the "California Study Activities Inventory" (CSAI) is described. The principal features of the instrument…

The study was conducted utilizing the instrumental approach to the development of study behaviors. The hypothesis was that a pupil's academic performance, study motivation, and creativity can be improved by encouraging his/her study skills. The practical aims were delineated and explained. The research was conducted in stages. These included…

A study was conducted to develop a reliable measure for assessing the variations in reunion responses exhibited by preschoolers and to determine whether individual differences were consistent over multiple observations. A total of 22 preschool children (13 boys and 9 girls) participated in the study; their reunion behaviors were observed on six…

To ascertain how the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) would be affected if candidates had access to some of the items before administration of a test containing those items, a number of specially constructed TOEFL forms were made available to 945 foreign students in intensive English language programs. The students were later…

Five studies of holistic writing assessment procedures examined interactive relationships of the participants, processes, and products of writing assessment episodes. The first study examined practices in designing writing test prompts. The second study investigated the effects of variation in the specification of audience in a writing test prompt…

Computer simulation was used to assess the effects of item parameter estimation errors on different item selection strategies used in adaptive and conventional testing. To determine whether these effects reduced the advantages of certain optimal item selection strategies, simulations were repeated in the presence and absence of item parameter…

The aim of this paper is to explore the Rasch model as a criterion of test homogeneity. Two empirical studies are presented to demonstrate this usage. From these studies it is argued that statistical tests of item characteristic curve (ICC) slopes are not sufficient in testing for heterogeneity. Tests of equality of ICC's over groups of subject…

The paper describes the development and use of the Behavior Evaluation Scale (BES), an instrument designed to rate behavior problems for diagnosis, assist in developing individualized education programs (IEPs), document progress resulting from intervention, and collect data for research purposes. The uses of the BES in screening, diagnosis, IEP…