The term "conative" is used to describe constructs that span both motivational and volitional aspects of human behavior, distinguished from constructs that emphasize cognition and affection. Among the conative constructs are achievement strivings, beliefs about self-esteem and self-efficacy, interests and attitudes about learning,…

From 1970 to 1985, the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) underwent major modifications caused by: (1) the addition of the Test of Standard Written English (TSWE) to the College Board's Admissions Testing Program (ATP); (2) the passage of test disclosure legislation; (3) the institution of test sensitivity reviews; and (4) the use of item response…

Three measures of self-concept or self-esteem and one measure of social competency development, designed for young children, are assessed. The instruments assessed include: (1) the Martinek-Zaichkowski Self-Control Scale for Children (MZSCSC); (2) the Behavioral Academic Self-Esteem Scale (BASE); (3) the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale…

Two papers are presented as part of the Effects on Testing Project. The first paper, "The Effects of Testing on Teaching and Learning" (Joan Herman, Shari Golan, and Jeanne Dreyfus), describes a study focusing on standardized, norm-referenced tests. A questionnaire was administered to 85 teachers (kindergarten through grade 12 levels)…

Recent experience with the Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT) has raised a number of concerns about its practical applications. The concerns are principally involved with the concept of having the computer construct the test from a precalibrated item pool, and substituting statistical characteristics for the test developer's skills. Problems with…

This paper demonstrates the relationship between the concept of unidimensionality and direction of an item in a multidimensional space. The basic premise is that if items that measure in the same direction are combined to form a test, that test will meet the item response theory requirements of unidimensionality. This will be true even if the…

This paper presents results of a study examining the relationship between the American Board of Surgery's In-Training Examination and its Qualifying Examination. 1982 Test scores on both examinations of 764 candidates in their fifth year of training as Chief Residents were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and standard errors were…

An introduction by Barbara S. Plake and Joseph C. Witt defines the task of this book as presenting nine conference papers discussing probable directions for the field of measurement and testing. In an effort to contribute to the improvement of test construction and test usage, areas of present concern and potentially important areas for the future…

Cooperative testing is a rather specific and practical aspect of validity generalization or test transportability. It refers to two or more units of government combining their testing and/or recruiting efforts. The Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 (P.L. 1-648) made specific provision for cooperative examining in stating that the Civil…

A STUDY WAS MADE OF THE NATION'S DEFENSE INDUSTRY TO DETERMINE ITS INFORMATION NEEDS AND THE FLOW OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION (FLOW PROCESS) NECESSARY TO SATISFY THESE NEEDS. VOLUME I, LI 000 345, OF THE THREE VOLUME FINAL REPORT IS AN OVERVIEW OF THE OTHER TWO VOLUMES AND INCLUDES GUIDELINES FOR MANAGEMENT DECISIONS AND…

The limitations in the methods which are usually used in stage theory test analysis to determine the stage of development of an individual are outlined. Piaget's and Kohlberg's conceptions of moral judgment are presented along with one method of estimating a subject's level of development. The concept of a latent trait is developed. Its…

The effects of sex, verbal ability, test anxiety, ideational fluency and training procedures on Formulating Hypotheses test performance were studied. Training consisted of presentation of models of "acceptable" responses that stressed either quantity or quality performance. Both the quantity and quality models were effective in modifying…

An attempt to direct the attention of the public school to the measurable dimensions of the affective domain is reported. A seven-step plan is provided for implementing an educational program in the affective domain: Step 1, evaluator develops and states affective goals; Step 2, evaluator determines appropriate behavioral objectives to measure…

In this paper are examined the psychological and emotional development of black children. The argument is that developmental schemes built for one set of people are lacking as a model when used to analyze the development of a set of different people. Man is both "a situated" and "an accumulating" being. He develops in the context of situations…

In this overview of his research in personality theory, Cattell describes the play of people, situations, and, ideas enacted over 30 years in his University of Illinois laboratory. Establishing meaningful empirical measurement methods was the foundation for further research into many aspects of personality development. (BS)