Assessment influences cognitive and operant aspects of learning. Finds that integration of the planning of exams and examination rules will drive student learning in a positive way. (Author/CCM)

Argues that selecting data according to expected information gain, as proposed by M. Oaksford and N. Chater (1994, 1996), leads to suboptimal performance in Bayesian hypothesis testing. Procedures are presented that are better justified normatively, their psychological implications are explored, and a number of novel predictions are derived under…

Argues that Klauer's proposal (1999) and proposal presented are equally well justified from a normative perspective and that, where the predictions of the two approaches diverge, the existing empirical evidence is consistent with the information gain approach. Recommends that more empirical research is required to decide between these two…

The hypothetical deduction model of educational research should be replaced by one that distinguishes between the logical structure of hypothetico-deduction and its methodological application. Such a framework explores relationships between three levels of explanation: observation sentences, observation categoricals, and theory formulations. (SK)

Describes the implementation of a standard Pearson chi-square statistic to test the null hypothesis of bivariate normality for latent variables in the Type I censored model. Assesses the behavior of the statistic through simulation and illustrates the statistic through an empirical example. Discusses limitations of the test. (Author/SLD)

Examines the effects of testing results on 420 candidates who participated in police officer selection in Asheville, North Carolina between 1990 and 1996. Results show that the decision making process of officer selection is primarily testing-oriented and that candidates' socio-demographic factors, such as race show no effect on the recruitment…

Presents an integer programming approach to item bank design that can be used to calculate an optimal blueprint for an item bank in order to support an existing testing program. Demonstrates the approach empirically using an item bank designed for the Law School Admission Test. (SLD)

Describes the Career Transitions Inventory, which is designed to assess psychological resources and barriers. Discusses scale construction, theoretical base, reliability and validity, and interpretation for adults in career transition. (SK)

Two bootstrap tests are proposed to test the independence hypothesis in a two-way cross table. Monte Carlo studies are used to compare the traditional asymptotic test with these bootstrap methods, and the bootstrap methods are found superior in two ways: control of Type I error and statistical power. (SLD)

Summarizes issues associated with psychological assessment, concluding that: psychological test validity is strong and is comparable to medical test validity; distinct assessment methods provide unique sources of information; and clinicians who rely solely on interviews are prone to incomplete understandings. Suggests that multimethod assessment…

Describes opposition to use of standardized tests for high-stakes decisions because of: their lack of scientific basis, imprecise measurement, teaching to the test, and student alienation, particularly among minorities. (EV)

Reviewed aspects of the SIBTEST procedure through three studies. Study 1 examined the effects of item format using 40 mathematics items from the Scholastic Assessment Test. Study 2 considered the effects of a problem type factor and its interaction with item format for eight items, and study 3 evaluated the degree to which factors varied in the…

Presents a simple variation on multiple-choice testing that overcomes some of its drawbacks but still permits easy hand or machine grading. Gives student partial credit for partial knowledge and reduces frustration because students are no longer forced to choose between answers that they think might be correct. (JRH)

General normal ogive and logistic multiple-group models for paired comparisons data are described. In these models, scale value and discriminal dispersion parameters are allowed to vary across stimuli and respondent populations. Model fitting and hypothesis testing are illustrated using health care coverage data from two age groups. (SLD)

Explores the planning and testing involved in successfully replacing windows in a corporate office building converted into an academic building. Inspection procedures and performance testing are examined. (GR)