Investigated relationship between Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale: Fourth Edition (SB:IV) abbreviated batteries and complete battery among 38 college students. Findings suggest that school psychologists who use abbreviated versions of SB:IV with older adolescents and young adults should be aware that these short forms may underestimate students'…

Examined utility of Suicide Probability Scale (SPS) by comparing results obtained from 217 normal adolescents to findings from Cull and Gill's standardization effort. Present sample scored significantly higher than normative sample on SPS item, subscale, and total scores. Findings suggest need for caution when using SPS to assess adolescent…

The usefulness of the Five-Factor personality domains of the NEO Personality Inventory (P. Costa and R. McCrae, 1992) in identifying subtypes was studied with 3,256 substance abusers. Three groups, differing in coping style, psychopathological symptoms, and pattern of substance choice, were reliably identified. Implications for use of the measure…

The Impact of Event Scale (IES) (M. Horowitz, N. Wilner, and W. Alvarez, 1979) and three other measures of stress were administered to 505 adults in the general population who focused on an "upsetting event." Data suggest that an "upsetting event" version of the IES may be useful as a screen for nonarousal-related posttraumatic…

Studied the use of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory for Adolescents (MMPI-A) (J. Butcher and others, 1992) with 13-year olds by examining the profiles produced. Investigated the effect of scoring with standard MMPI-A norms. Findings support the use of standard MMPI-A norms with 13-year-old inpatients. (SLD)

Administered 12 psychological and 7 neurobehavioral performance tests twice to nonclinical normative samples of 30 adults (computer format only) and 30 adults (computer and conventional administration) with one week between administrations. Results suggest that individual test-retest reliability is not affected when tests are administered as part…

Scores of 111 Australian and 145 British vocational instructors on the Smith Whetton Critical Reading Test (CRT) showed no significant differences. The CRT's construct validity was supported; it was shown to be a useful tool for demonstrating problematic aspects of the concept of thinking skills. (SK)

Studied the factor structure of the Need for Cognition Scale (NFC) (J. Cohen, E. Scotland, and D. Wolfe, 1955) (short form) with samples of 510 and 697 Australian adults. Results support the use of the short version of the NFC with Australian samples. (SLD)

Discusses the issues surrounding the right to use psychological tests. Examines the American Psychological Association's efforts to restrict test access, the likely impact of restricting use, and the mission of the Fair Access Coalition on Testing, which is devoted to allowing all appropriately trained professionals access to such tests. (RJM)

The validity of a higher order factorial structure of a Bulgarian version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) (A. Beck et al, 1961) for nonclinical adolescents was studied with 3 samples totaling 691. Findings yielded strong support for the hypothesized second-order factor, adding to a growing cross-cultural agglomerate of construct validity…

The articles in this issue, written from the perspectives of academics, practitioners, and publishers, show that examining the consequences of assessment is an important, large, and difficult task. Collaborative action by assessment developers, users, and the educational measurement community is needed if progress is to be made. (SLD)

The relationship between the validity theory of the past 50 years and actual validity practices was studied by comparing published test standards with the practices of measurement professionals expressed in the "Mental Measurements Yearbook" test reviews. Results show a symbiotic relationship between theory and practice on the influence…

Studied rater reliability, internal scale validity, and person response validity of the School Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (School AMPS) using results for 208 elementary school students, some with educationally related disabilities. Results support rater reliability, scale validity, and person response validity of the School AMPS as a…

Reviews practices regarding tests of statistical significance and policies of the American Educational Research Association (AERA). Decades of misuse of statistical significance testing are described, and revised editorial policies to improve practice are highlighted. Correct interpretation of statistical tests, interpretation of effect sizes, and…

Hierarchical regression analyses of the scores of 136 doctoral students on the Research Self-Efficacy Scale indicate that 3 subscales (early tasks, conceptualization, and implementation) account for the variance in prediction of interest in research. Number of years in graduate school and research involvement are significant predictors of research…