Presents a model of tests and measurement that identifies test scores with Hilbert space vectors and true and error components of scores with linear operators. This geometric point of view brings to light relations among elementary concepts in test theory, including reliability, validity, and parallel tests. (Author/SLD)

Conducted a reliability generalization study of the Geriatric Depression Scale (T. Brink and others, 1982). Results from this investigation of 338 studies shows that the average score reliability across studies was 0.8482 and identifies the most important predictors of score reliability. (SLD)

Item content of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) was modified to make it more appropriate for young persons. The resulting test was found to have lower internal consistency than the adult MAST, but the elimination of five items with comparatively poor psychometric properties yielded an acceptable alpha coefficient. (Contains 10…

From a six-state sample of 286 bank tellers and supervisors, 118 returned an assessment of a DACUM-generated task listing for the teller occupation. Results indicated that the task listing was highly reliable and possessed substantial construct validity, although tasks added by respondents may indicate that DACUM is not yet a stand-alone…

Reference-reliability relates variability due to change and error. It indicates whether some suspected change can be reliably differentiated from random fluctuations. A means by which the process of change can be measured at different points in time is outlined, using empirical data. (TJH)

An approximate statistical test of the equality of two intraclass reliability coefficients based on the same sample of people is derived. Such a test is needed when a researcher wishes to compare the reliability of two measurement procedures, and both procedures can be applied to results from the same group. (SLD)

Developed Family Emotional Involvement and Criticism Scale (FEICS), self-report scale assessing perceived criticism and intensity of emotional involvement. Adult respondents (n=83) completed FEICS. Cronbach's alpha was 0.82 for Perceived Criticism subscale and 0.74 for Emotional Involvement subscale. Findings suggest that FEICS is reliable…

Describes ways in which content analysis is being used in library and information science research. Methodological concerns are addressed, including selection of target documents, selection of samples to be analyzed, selection of categories for analysis, and elimination of researcher bias to assure reliability. (35 references) (LRW)

Claims that portfolios can be reliably rated in a large-scale assessment situation. Shares the experiences of writing program administrators concerning portfolio assessment. Outlines practical methods of gaining reasonable reliability in portfolio scoring. (RS)

Examined test-retest reliability for Test of Language Development-2: Primary (TOLD-2 P) and Intermediate (TOLD-2 I). Findings from 60 children revealed that, with few exceptions, both tests had satisfactory reliability over 2-week interval. Less satisfactory reliability was found for TOLD-2 P Semantics Composite (ages 4, 6 ,and 8); Phonology…

Treatment manuals and protocols have made delivery of particular therapies purer and more consistent, initiating a demand that researchers not only use treatment manuals to improve purity of their therapy but document that their efforts to achieve purity have been successful. Strategies that have been used to document treatment integrity are…

Examines mechanisms underlying the misinformation effect, in which children can be made to believe that they have seen or experienced something they never have. Suggests that the effect in younger children is mainly due to memory errors, whereas in older children it is mainly due to acceptance of misleading information. (DSK)

Investigated the effects of types and prevalence of response patterns that might be provided by nonattending respondents on Cronbach's alpha (L. Cronbach, 1970) using three simulated data sets. Effects were greater as a function of increased prevalence in the respondent group, but as few as 5% of some types of nonattending patterns had inflating…

Examined the internal consistency of three tests from the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery (R. Reitan and D. Wolfson, 1992) with a sample of 334 children, 9 to 14 years of age. Gives reliability coefficients for the Seashore Rhythm Test, two forms of the Speech Sounds Perception Test, and the Aphasia Screening Test. (SLD)

Exploratory factor analysis of data from 564 people identified constructs for the Career Influence Inventory: parent/teacher/friend influence, high school academic experience, negative social events, self-efficacy, and ethnic-gender expectations. Negative social events proved to be an emerging construct for understanding career development and…