A variety of distributional assumptions for dissimilarity judgments in multidimensional scaling are considered, with the lognormal distribution being favored for most situations. Procedures for maximum likelihood estimation in this setting are described and examples are presented. (Author/JKS)

Conventional linear and equipercentile procedures are reviewed with an emphasis on their utility for equating achievement tests pitched at different levels of difficulty. It is argued that the equipercentile procedure is superior to the linear procedure, but that neither is very satisfactory for the vertical equating problem. (Author/JKS)

Significant cheating occurred in the group who had initially been successful, but then failed; suggesting that failure following initial success may be more repugnant than failure following initial failure. (Author/DEP)

A statistical technique is proposed for comparing an empirically obtained matrix of the perceived similarity of paired stimuli against a set of distinctive features that supposedly characterize the stimuli on which the matrix is based. The statistical development of the technique and an example are presented. (Author/JKS)

Four ways in which instructional media can contribute to education through its measurement and evaluation capabilities are suggested. (Author/STS)

Assignment of subjects to treatment groups on the basis of a covariate is discussed. It is contended that in making such assignments, consideration should be focused on the conditional expectations of the dependent variable given in the covariate in both treatment and control groups. Statistical development and an example are presented. (JKS)

Describes how certain tendencies in reasoning, namely the failure to consider negative instances disconfirming evidence for one's hypotheses, may interfere with accurate personal and social judgments. Presents suggestions for clinical interventions that would help clients negate the destructive hypothesis they may have about themselves or others.…

The study examined differences in the distribution of spectral energy among four types of infant vocalizations via computerized spectral analyses. The mean spectral energy (MSE) of "pain induced" cries was significantly higher than those of "fussy" and "hungry" cries, and the MSE of all three cries was higher than…

A review of the International Olympic Committee's ban and subsequent reinstatement of a certain drug found in birth-control pills points out the need for careful analysis of drugs and their effects before they are banned. (CB)

Current methods for obtaining reliability indices for mastery tests can be laborious. This paper offers practitioners tables from which agreement and kappa coefficients can be read directly and provides criterion for acceptable values of agreement and kappa coefficients. (TJH)

Testing and evaluation should measure learning as well as achievement of the objectives of the instructor. They should provide feedback for the improvement of the evaluation process and allow students to demonstrate that they have met course objectives. (JOW)

A test for multisample sphericity based on the efficient scores criterion is obtained as an alternative to the likelihood ratio test developed by Mendoza. (Author)

Provides an overview of the current status of microcomputer-based testing, reviews several testing applications available in microcomputer format, and offers ideas on future developments. (Author)

A binomial test for hierarchical dependency is presented. The null hypothesis is that all members of a population who possess a certain skill are a subset of the members who possess another skill. The model, assumptions, formula derivations, and procedures for the test are explained. An illustrative hypothesis is provided. (Author/LMO)

Compared two models of phobia treatment. Severe height and driving phobics (N=32) were assigned to either mastery-oriented treatment based on self-efficacy theory, exposure treatment, or no treatment. Mastery treatment proved to be significantly more effective. Results indicated that treatments effect behavioral change through their intervening…