An Index of Social Competence, covering 15 ability areas was developed and administered to 376 mentally handicapped adults. The index should prove particularly useful in surveys of service requirements especially in the social and residential areas. (Author/SB)

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a Mexican version of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test could be improved by directly translating both forms of the American test, then using decision procedures to select the better item of each pair. The reliability of the simple translations suffered. (Author/BW)

Measured the internal consistency reliability of the Holmes Am Scale in discriminating alcoholics (N=39) from college students (N=77). Results showed the Holmes Am Scale displayed low internal consistency reliability but did not discriminate significantly between the two groups. The Am Scale was related moderately to alcohol use among students…

Responds to an article questioning the construct validity of the Beck Hopelessness Scale. Suggests that social desirability should not be invoked as a potential confound unless the obtained covariation is theoretically inconsistent or is so overlapping as to make the respective scales redundant with respect to factorial content. (Author/RC)

Effects of item presentation mode on degree of leniency bias in responses to field research questionnaires were studied. Two modes were examined: first with items measuring the same dimensions grouped together and second with such items distributed randomly. The random mode showed substantially less leniency response bias. (Author/BW)

Boehm's classification of test items on the Boehm Test of Basic Concepts (BTBC) was examined from a factor analytic perspective. A single, general factor related to the acquisition of basic verbal concepts best described the instrument. This factor was constant across the two forms of the BTBC. (Author/GK)

Forty elementary students were administered the Bender-Gestalt Test using two techniques: Koppitz routine instructions and the Hutt testing-the-limits method. The mean number of Koppitz errors was approximately two greater than the number obtained using the Hutt technique. (Author/BW)

Procedures used to develop and validate an instrument appropriate for assessing the status of teacher evaluation practices in schools are described. Data are presented substantiating the reliability and validity of the instrument, as well as its sensitivity to differences in teacher evaluation programs. (Author/GK)

Describes a study that determined the appropriateness of using the Myklebust Learning Quotient Method of identifying learning disabilities in one school district. (FL)

Assessed the validity of short forms that reduce the number of items within subtests rather than the number of subtests. Used data from the standardization samples for the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, WISC-Revised, and WAIS-Revised. (Author)

Questions the validity of the Nelson-Denny Reading Test to measure growth in a rapid reading course for adults. (AEA)

The test-item bias literature is summarized, emphasizing the conceptual basis for bias detection methods and the technical issues involved in choosing among methods. It describes both judgmental and statistical methods for identifying biased items, and discusses the reconciliation of these two types of evidence. (Author/BW)

Discusses classical test theory, including test construction, administration, and use. Covers basic statistical concepts in measurement, reliability, and validity; principles of sound test construction and item analysis; test administration and scoring; procedures for transforming raw test data into scaled scores; and future prospects in test…

Presents ideas on developing a diagnostic accounting instrument, and answers the following questions: Are the diagnostic instruments given to accounting students measuring what they should measure? What advice can be given to students regarding questions that were missed? (CT)

Developed the Problem Inventory for Adolescent Girls (PIAG) to measure competence in social situations, and compared the performance of delinquent and nondelinquent girls on the inventory. The PIAG significantly discriminated between the groups, suggesting that delinquency is more closely related to skill deficits in interacting with adult…