Converging lines of evidence suggest that attorneys are influencing data relied on by psychological experts in forensic cases, usually by advising clients how to respond to psychological tests or by prompting them in other ways. This article alerts psychologists to this threat to the validity of psychological and neuropsychological evaluations.…

Study examines the use of urine screening as a clinical diagnostic procedure to assess and monitor adolescents in a school-based outpatient program (N=296). Random screening provides little information regarding diagnostic level and pattern of drug use; however it may be helpful in bringing about positive behavior change. (EMK)

Compared a standard multiple choice exam format with two modified formats which provide instructors with information on students' risk preferences (students answer questions twice) and confidence in their answers (students assign a point value to questions). Found that while the alternatives offer increased choice to students and low-cost…

While the reliability and validity of Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS) scores have been established with outpatient adults being treated in community psychiatric clinics, it has not been used in special or dually diagnosed populations. Establishes internal consistency, concurrent validity, and construct validity for both the clinical…

Presents the results of a survey by the Assessment and Examinations Committee to seek members' views on modular courses. The majority of the respondents felt that the administration of the course was reasonable, set dates were causing disruption in schools, feedback was too slow and was useful only to some, and the weighting for each test was a…

Presents two class activities for use with hypothesis testing in which students collect data to test for a difference in the mean number of chocolate chips per cookie between two brands. (Author/ASK)

Discusses different views and understandings of science assessment among stakeholders (policy makers, psychometricians, school administrators, parents, teachers, and students). Looks at science testing and assessment from the 1950s to the late 1990s. Considers high stakes testing. Argues that more authentic and appropriate forms of assessment,…

Results of a study correlating work behaviors, performance appraisals and results of civil service promotion examinations suggest that exam scores are not sufficient and should not be the sole determinant of promotions. Work behaviors and job performance are time consuming to assess but should also be considered as civil service promotion…

Presents a framework that takes as its starting point an analysis of test purpose, and then shows how purpose can be systematically related to test design. Argues that the way forward for vocabulary assessment is to take account of test purposes in the design and validation of tests, as well as considering an interactionalist approach to construct…

Argues that the apparent lack of empirical support for the practice of profile analysis has stemmed in part from the use of statistical techniques that have neglected to explore the perspective of the clinician. Explores Configural Frequency Analysis, a statistical technique focusing on the relationships among groups of participants as the unit of…

Administrative office technology assessments were delivered via the Internet to 141 vocational students. Compared to 61 who took a paper test, scores for the Internet group were significantly higher; 62% preferred the Internet format. There were few problems with accessing, downloading, taking, and submitting the test. (SK)

Examines the relationship between and the relevance of second language acquisition (SLA) and language testing (LT). The relevance of LT to SLA is examined based on written interviews with leading scholars in SLA who were asked about the relevance of LT to their work. (Author/VWL)

Suggests that replication research and meta-analysis are not substitutes for statistical significance testing, but rather, like measures of effect size, they are complements to statistical significance testing. Significance testing does provide a means for determining what might be usefully replicated. (SLD)

Considers how far a code of ethics makes language testing an open profession and notes the dangers of face validity and of hypocrisy. Discusses the need for a code of practice to provide detailed guidance to language testers with regard to their professional responsibilities. (Author/VWL)

We have been studying children's responses on key stages 2 and 3 national mathematics tests. We have been particularly interested in children's methods and misconceptions that provide teachers with insight into children's thinking so that they can take action to challenge and extend it. We have found that the common errors occur across both key…