bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cloze Technique and Multiple Choice Technique: Reliability and Validity
Authors: Panackal Abraham A. , Heft Carl S.
Published: March 2007

Two multiple choice forms of two cloze tests were developed based on the most frequent responses given to the cloze forms by college students. These forms were administered to large samples of undergraduate students and were scored and item analyzed with original keys, empirical keys, and empirical keys with option weighting. Correlations were calculated between different scales and Scholastic Aptitude Test Scales, Co-operative English Test scales and High School Deciles for the samples. These validity indices for the scales and tests were compared. The results indicated a trend for the empirical key scales to be more reliable and valid than the other scales across different forms and samples. The multiple choice forms, although ostensibly less reliable, appeared to be more valid than the cloze forms. Option weighting did not increase the validity of the scales, and as such, was considered not useful with cloze tests.
Edumetric Validity of the Quarterly Profile Examination
Authors: Willoughby T. Lee , Hutcheson Sam J.
Published: March 2007

Investigators traditionally have reported the psychometric properties of tests. Less often reported are the edumetric properties of tests used for measurement of within-individual growth. The standard growth expectations for various levels and categories of the Quarterly Profile Examination were reported in this study as an approach to assessing edumetric validity. Although psychometric properties of this test of medical information were previously determined, the present results demonstrated the usefulness of computing standard growth expectations for tests used in the measurement of within-individual growth.
The Factorial Validity of a Scale for Evaluation of Counselors in a University Counseling and Testing Center
Authors: Shaffer Phyllis , Murillo Nathan , Michael William B.
Published: March 2007

For a sample of 270 students who sought on their own initiative counseling on academic, career, vocational, and personal matters at a university counseling and testing center, intercorrelations of their responses to 20 statements on the Evaluation of Counselors (EOC) scale were factor-analyzed. The following five factor dimensions were identified: (a) Counselee Satisfaction with the Counseling and Testing Center, (b) Counselor's Facilitation of Counselee's Self-Understanding and Personal Growth, (c) Lack (or Presence) of Confidence in or Rapport with the Counselor, (d) Counselor as a Concerned and Effective Individual in His Relationship with the Counselee, and (e) Counselor Effectiveness in Communication and Interpretation of Information to the Counselee. Thus the EOC scale does not reflect a unitary evaluative dimension, but rather several dimensions of counseling effectiveness. Although the EOC scale was heterogeneous in its factorial content, two internal-consistency estimates of .867 and .921 were obtained for the reliability of the total scale
Canon: a Computer Program which Produces Canonical Structure and Index Coefficients
Authors: Thompson Bruce , Frankiewicz Ronald G.
Published: March 2007

The paper presents an overview of several statistics useful in interpreting variates constructed by using canonical correlation analysis. A program which calculates coefficients not typically provided by program packages is then discussed. An illustrative example of program output is furnished.
The Development and Validation of a Nonverbal Measure of Self-Esteem: the Sliding Person Test
Authors: Karmos Ann H.
Published: March 2007

This paper reports validity evidence from several studies for a nonverbal measure of self-esteem, the Sliding Person Test (SPERT). Two versions of SPERT, a wooden manipulative task and a paper-pencil measure, were correlated .81. Convergent validity correlations were comparable to typical correlations among self-concept measures. Test-retest and alternate form reliabilities ranged from .57 to .95. Minimal evidence of convergent and discriminant validity was established, and correlations with IQ and social desirability measures were sufficiently low. Relationships between a measure of self-esteem and those of social adjustment and emotional adjustment supported the findings of other studies. The potential of SPERT for use by counselors in intervention programs and by classroom teachers was demonstrated.
Reliability and Validity of a Statistics Attitude Survey
Authors: Roberts Dennis M. , Bilderback Edward W.
Published: March 2007

A 34 item scale entitled Statistics Attitude Survey (SAS) was developed and administered to three samples of students taking a beginning statistics course. Analyses showed that the scale was highly homogeneous and that total scale scores had moderate correlations with statistics grades.
Accuracy of Corrections for Restriction in Range Due to Explicit Selection in Heteroscedastic and Nonlinear Distributions
Authors: Greener Jack M. , Osburn H.G.
Published: March 2007

Corrections for restriction in range due to explicit selection assume linearity of regression and homoscedastic array variances. Violation of one or both of these assumptions can lead to serious errors in estimating the unrestricted population correlation. A Monte Carlo study was conducted to examine the effects of some common forms of violation of these assumptions. The results suggested that the corrected correlation provides a fairly good estimate of the population correlation for moderately restricted samples but becomes progressively less accurate with increasing degrees of restriction. In addition, corrected estimates were generally more accurate than corresponding uncorrected estimates of the population correlation.
Reliability and Validity of a Priori Estimates of Item Characteristics for an Examination of Health Science Information
Authors: Willoughby T. Lee
Published: March 2007

A priori estimates of item characteristics are necessary for the effi cient development of sound tests. Judges were asked to rate the For mat, Relevancy, Difficulty, Discrimination, and Overall Quality of multiple-choice items for an examination covering health science in formation. Ratings of Relevancy were least reliable. The combined estimates of Difficulty did not correspond with empirical values of item difficulty; however, the combined ratings for Discrimination did correlate (point-biserial) significantly (p < .05) with item-total test scores. Additionally, combined ratings of Overall Quality were correlated significantly (p < .05) with item-total correlations.
A Computer Program for Determining the Significance of the Difference Between Pairs of Independently Derived Values of Kappa or Weighted Kappa
Authors: Cicchetti Domenic V. , Heavens Robert
Published: March 2007

A problem that is of interest to research investigators is the extent to which interrater reliability estimates, based upon categorical data, are similar between pairs of observers all of whom have independently evaluated the same sample of subjects. The problem can be resolved statistically by the computer program described herein.
Coefficients of Effective Length
Authors: Edwards Roger H.
Published: March 2007

Coefficients of Effective Length (CEL's) derived from the Spear-man-Brown formula can be an effective tool in assessing the net worth of an altered measurement procedure. Under certain conditions, however, a validity CEL can produce highly misleading results. A modified coefficient is suggested for use when empirical studies indicate that underlying assumptions have been violated.
Correlation between the General Information Subtest of the Peabody Individual Achievement Test and the Full Scale Intelligence Quotient of the WISC-R
Authors: Simpson Robert G.
Published: March 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the raw scores on the General Information subtest of the Peabody Individual Achievement Test (PIAT) and full scale intelligence quotients determined by the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R). Subjects were 144 children, ranging in age from 12 years 2 months to 16 years 11 months. Subjects were divided into mentally retarded (IQ < 75) and non-retarded (IQ > 75) groups. A relatively high correlation (r = .60) between the two instruments was obtained with the non-retarded population, whereas a low correlation (r = .05) was obtained with the retarded population. Race and sex of the subjects appeared not to be factors in the relationships. Results indicated that the PIAT General Information subtest is useful as a general screening instrument, but only with non-retarded subjects.
Determining the Lenqth of Multiple Choice Criterion-Referenced Tests when an Answer-Until-Correct Scoring Procedure is Used
Authors: Wilcox Rand R.
Published: March 2007

When determining the length of a criterion-referenced test, results in van den Brink and Koele (1980) and Wilcox (1980a, 1980b) indicate that the problem of guessing might be more serious than may have been expected. Recently, however, a new method of scoring tests was proposed that corrects for guessing without assuming guessing is at random. Moreover, empirical investigations suggest that the underlying assumptions of the new scoring procedure will frequently hold. This paper indicates how test length might be determined when the new scoring procedure is used. The results indicate that test length might be substantially reduced when the new scoring rule can be applied.
Differences among Holland Types as Measured by the Hand Test: An Attempt at Construct Validation
Authors: Daniel Frank R. , Wagner Edwin E.
Published: March 2007

The Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI) and the Hand Test were administered to 120 male undergraduate students. Subjects classified into one of six Holland personality types on the basis of VPI high-point codes were found to differ significantly with respect to both the absolute and relative number of responses on certain Hand Test scoring variables. As these differences appeared to be reasonably consistent with Holland's personality theory, additional evidence was provided for the construct validity of the postulated vocational types.
A Strategy for Analyzing ANOVA Designs Having One or More Random Factors
Authors: Hopkins Kenneth D.
Published: March 2007

A general analysis strategy is proposed such that the universe of inference is increased incrementally. The strategy prevents logically incongruent findings that occasionally result when the conventional analysis strategy is employed.
A Rapid FORTRAN Subroutine for the Fisher Exact Probability Test
Authors: Berry Kenneth J. , Mielke Paul W.
Published: March 2007

Presented in the paper are a technical description, a recursion algorithm, and a FORTRAN computer subroutine to compute the one-and two-sided probability values for the Fisher exact probability test. The probability values are calculated recursively, without recourse to factorial expressions; consequently, a vast improvement in computational speed is achieved over previously published algorithms.
Criterion-Referenced Tests as Predictors of Reading Performance
Authors: Horodezky Betty , Labercane George
Published: March 2007

One hundred and eleven subjects were utilized in a study to determine the ability of the Ginn criterion-referenced reading management system of tests (GRMS) to provide teachers with an efficient and well-organized system for individualizing instruction as well as to predict reading performance. Ginn criterion-referenced and mastery level tests were compared with a series of formal (Stanford Diagnostic Reading Tests or SDRT) scores and informal (Teacher Rating, Classroom Reading Inventory) measures of reading performance. Findings indicated that (1) all tests at the grade one level were found to be equally effective predictors of reading performance; (2) the Ginn (GRMS) tests were observed to be increasingly less effective in predicting reading performance from grade two to three; (3) the Classroom Reading Inventory (CRI) was seen to be an effective predictor of reading performance at all three grade levels; (4) as children gain greater proficiency in reading, the GRMS appears to be less capable of tracking this divergence in reading skill development.
COPSET: A FORTRAN IV Program for Set Correlation Analysis
Authors: Cohen Jacob , Nee John
Published: March 2007

Set correlation is a multivariate generalization of multiple regression/correlation analysis which examines the relationship between sets of variables from which other sets may be partialled. Following a description of the method, a program is presented that creates correlation matrices for partialled sets of variables and then performs a complete set correlation analysis on these matrices.
Discriminant and Convergent Validity of High School Student Ratings of Instruction
Authors: Hanna Gerald S. , Aubrecht Judith D. , Hoyt Donald P.
Published: March 2007

Two studies addressed the construct validity of the IDEA Form H Survey with which high school students rate instruction. Both studies provided indirect evidence of the validity of this instrument as a measure of student progress on goals selected by the teacher of each class.
Validity of Locus of Control and Self-Esteem Measures in a National Longitudinal Study
Authors: Richards James M.
Published: March 2007

This study examined the relationships of the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972 measures of locus of control and self-esteem to differential goal attainment in the areas of education, work, marriage, and fertility. Little evidence was obtained for the hypotheses that internal control and positive self-esteem further differential goal attainment, or that differential goal attainment furthers internal control and positive self-esteem. Thus, the results raise questions about the validity of the measures, of their underlying theories, or of both.
A Comparative Evaluation of Four Response Formats in Personality Ratings
Authors: Tzeng Oliver C. S.
Published: March 2007

Four basic response formats that are most frequently used in personality ratings were distinguished in terms of two psychometric criteria—the neutral response option and hierarchical gradients on the underlying measurement continuum. Theoretical discussions of their relative superiorities were substantiated by a comparative evaluation of empirical personality ratings under different formats for the same PRF scale items. Results indicated the existence of three types of inter-format relationships for all personality dimensions measured. In addition, the free-choice discriminating format was found to be the most appropriate for future personality and trait attribution research. Finally, implications were made concerning the validity and utility of various measurement instruments using different response formats.
Wanted-Central Tendency and Variability of Test Norm Tables: How to Recover them?
Authors: Krus David J. , Liang Kun-Hsia T.
Published: March 2007

An algorithm for estimation of means and standard deviations or raw scores underlying table values of standard test scores is presented. An application of a computer program, operationalizing the suggested algorithm, is discussed within the framework of a comparison of estimated and known table values for sample MMPI subscales.
The One-, Two- and Modified Two-Parameter Latent Trait Models: An Empirical Study of Relative Fit
Authors: Albanese Mark A. , Forsyth Robert A.
Published: March 2007

Latent trait procedures are being proposed for use in the construction and scaling of standardized achievement tests. These procedures, however, usually require rather strong assumptions that will not be met in any absolute way for data from such tests. The primary purpose of this study was to compare the relative robustness of the one-, two- and modified two-parameter latent trait logistic models for one specific standardized test. Responses of examinees in grades 9 (N = 944) and 12 (N = 650) to five subtests of the Iowa Tests of Educational Development were analyzed. The one-parameter model misfit substantially more items than either of the two models (% misfit 28-63% vs. at most 39%). The items identified as misfitting by the modified two-parameter model were slightly more uniformly distributed over a test's table of specifications than were the misfitting items identified by the other two models. These results suggest that of the three models studied, the modified two-parameter model may provide the best representation of the data from tests such as the ITED.
Relationship of the Copsystem, Form P Interest Inventory (COPS-P) Scales to Vocational Preference Inventory Scales (VPI): Construct Validity of Scales Based on Professed Occupational Interest in a College Sample
Authors: Knapp-Lee Lisa , Michael William B. , Grutter Judith
Published: March 2007

The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship of scores on the COPSystem Interest Inventory, Form P to scores on similar constructs of the Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI). The sample included 86 undergraduate university students. Scales on the two instruments were matched according to the name of the constructs and the theoretical assumptions of the constructs. The results indicated generally high correlations between scales of the two instruments measuring similar constructs. Thus the pattern of magnitude of correlations is interpreted as providing evidence for the construct validity of the two instruments.
Analyzing Shine's Group Actualized, Group Pure, and Generalized Pure Behavior Functions: The Case of Several Independent Groups
Authors: Shine Lester C.
Published: March 2007

For the case of several independent groups of subjects, illustrative analyses are given for each of Shine's group actualized, group pure, and generalized pure multi-subject behavior functions. The three analyses are done on the same set of data, and the basic results are cast into an analysis of variance framework to facilitate their interpretation. Experimental control over sources of systematic variation is investigated. The general results of the three illustrative analyses are discussed.
The Multidimensionality of Person Reliability: Implications for Interpreting Individual Test Item Responses
Authors: Holden Ronald R. , Helmes Edward , Fekken G. Cynthia , Jackson Douglas N.
Published: March 2007

Person reliability concerns the response consistency of a single respondent to a number of psychological tests or test items. This study investigated various coefficients of person reliability, including both measures of within- and between-occasion consistency. Using a one-month test-retest interval, 123 undergraduates completed a 12-scale, 240-item, true-false inventory measuring various dimensions of psychopathology. Six consistency measures were calculated for each respondent: two within-occasion person reliability indices for each testing, a between-occasion person reliability index, and an item consistency measure involving a count of corresponding items answered identically on both occasions. Results implied that person reliability may be a multidimensional concept and that certain item consistency measures are confounded with psychopathology. Other consistency indices, however, tend to be independent of psychopathology. Clinical implications are discussed.
On Pooling Covariance Matrices for Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Hertzog Christopher
Published: March 2007

It is often useful to analyze a covariance matrix pooled over multiple groups. This note shows that the pooled covariance matrix cannot in general be calculated from the weighted average of the separate covariance matrices for the multiple groups. The correct equation for calculating the pooled covariance matrix adjusts for group differences in sample means.
Discriminant Validity of the Paragraphs about Leisure for Expert and Naive Respondents
Authors: Tinsley Howard E. A. , Bowman Sharon L.
Published: March 2007

The Paragraphs About Leisure (PAL) was administered to a sample of stamp collectors ( N = 51) and a sample of undergraduate students naive about stamp collecting ( N = 30). One-way ANO-VAs were performed to compare the group means on the 44 scales of the PAL. The results provide support for the discriminant validity of the PAL.
ANOVA versus Regression Analysis of ATI Designs: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Thompson Bruce
Published: March 2007

The theory indicating that general linear model methods can be superior to ANOVA analogs is well known. However, the magnitudes of differences induced by different analysis choices has not been empirically investigated. The paper reports a Monte Carlo study of these differences over nine combinations of three sample sizes and three population parameter effect sizes. Generally, ANOVA methods tended somewhat to overestimate smaller effect sizes and to underestimate larger effect sizes.
Relationship between the WAIS-R and Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised
Authors: Spruill Jean , Beck Brett
Published: March 2007

This study is a concurrent validation of Level II of the WRAT-R using the WAIS-R Verbal, Performance, and Full Scale IQ scores as criterion measures. Forty-five subjects were administered the WAIS-R and WRAT-R and their scores correlated. The results showed the same pattern of correlations between the WAIS-R IQ scores and the WRAT-R Reading, Spelling, and Arithmetic standard scores that has been found between the WAIS and WRAT and the WISC-R and WRAT. For this sample, the standard scores on the WRAT-R averaged approximately nine points below the average WAIS-R IQ scores. The inclusion of some retarded subjects in the sample may have lowered the mean standard scores for the WRAT-R. Prior research has indicated that WRAT scores are not predicted effectively by IQ scores of retarded subjects. While the WRAT-R appears to have the same relationship to intelligence scores as the WRAT, further research is needed to determine if this holds for other subject groups and for Level I of the WRAT-R.
Factorial Validity of the Aiken-Dreger Mathematics Attitude Scale for Urban School Students
Authors: Adwere-Boamah Joseph , Muller Daniel , Kahn Harold
Published: March 2007

The Aiken-Dreger Mathematics Attitude Scale was administered to a sample of 2538 Urban Middle and High School students in northern California. All the schools serve predominantly minority students. To investigate the factorial validity of the scale, the intercorrelation matrix for the twenty items was computed and factor analyzed. Two factors (Enjoyment and Fear) were derived from the varimax rotated matrix. The results of the study provided empirical evidence to support the two-dimensional structure of the Aiken-Dreger Mathematics Attitude Scale.
Measuring Stressful Thinking Styles: An Analysis of the Stress Processing Report-Form II
Authors: Cooke Robert A.
Published: March 2007

The Stress Processing Report is a self-administered instrument designed to measure thinking styles that are causally related to psychological and physiological symptoms of strain. The instrument is intended to measure 19 thinking styles relevant to self-image and to the way in which individuals think about their relations with others and their work activities. In the present paper, data provided by approximately 600 respondents are analyzed to assess the reliability and validity of the second version (Form II) of this instrument. The results provide support for its internal-consistency reliability and convergent/discriminant validity. Additionally, a factor analysis showed that the thinking styles measured by the instrument are associated with five distinct domains rather than with a single global dimension such as self-esteem. These domains were found to be significantly related to the number of stress effects (psychological and physiological symptoms) reported by respondents.
Bias in Computer Languages Comparisons: A FORTRAN Phobic Cabal?
Authors: Krus David J. , Lu Mei-Yan
Published: March 2007

Viability of the FORTRAN computer language and its relationship to other languages for program development were discussed. A library of C and assembly language FORTRAN callable subroutines, developed to suit the needs of researchers in behavioral sciences was introduced and suggested as an aid for accomplishing the successful migration of FORTRAN from the mainframe to the microcomputing environment.
Concurrent Validation of AH2 as a Brief Measure of Intelligence in Canadian University Students
Authors: Helmes Edward
Published: March 2007

The general ability test AH2 was administered to 130 undergraduate university students along with a multiple-choice vocabulary test and the Standard Progressive Matrices, a nonverbal ability test. AH2 scores were compared with British norms and intercorrelated with those of the other two tests. Norms and reliabilities for a Canadian university sample were reported. Some restriction of range was observed as compared to British norms but not enough to account for the low correlations with the other ability tests.
Formulas for Equating Ratings on Different Scales
Authors: Aiken Lewis R.
Published: March 2007

Formulas for transforming scores and statistics on a rating scale having any number of categories to a scale having a different number of categories are described. The origins of the two scales may be any negative or positive integers; the scales may increase in the same or opposite directions and have any category widths. The transformation formulas provide not only a procedure for equating scores on different scales but also a method of investigating a variety of research questions involving ratings. To illustrate the use of one of the formulas, the means and variances of 10 items on six forms of a course evaluation questionnaire were compared. Significant differences were found in transformed mean item ratings for some of the six forms, which differed in the number of categories (2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7) available to the raters.
Validity of a Large-Scale Assessment Battery in an Industrial Setting
Authors: Hakstian A. Ralph , Woolsey Lorette K. , Schroeder Marsha L.
Published: March 2007

This article contains a description of a validity study carried out with 238 employees of a large telephone company. Cognitive ability tests, including measures of general intelligence, reading, writing, vocabulary, quantitative ability, and two divergent production abilities, were given. Two personality inventories, the CPI and 16PF, were employed. Two administrative-skills measures derived from a locally-constructed In-Basket exercise completed the battery. A small number of interpretively and predictively useful molar personality/motivational scales were derived using factor analysis. Then these scales and those from the other domains were correlated with a number of supervisory performance criteria obtained by an independent performance appraisal. Some measures from each of the domains of the assessment battery were found to be significantly related to certain aspects of criterion performance.
The Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale: An Initial Report
Authors: Suinn Richard M. , Rickard-Figueroa Kathryn , Lew Sandra , Vigil Patricia
Published: March 2007

Level of acculturation has been recognized as important in clinical work with ethnic minorities. However, scales are lacking for assessment of this variable for Asians. The SL-ASIA, Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale, was modeled after a successful scale for Hispanics. Initial reliability and validity data are reported for two samples of Asian subjects, from two states.
Concurrent Validity of a Love Relationships Scale
Authors: Thompson Bruce , Borrello Gloria M.
Published: March 2007

Based on data from 260 adults, the present study investigated the structure of stereotypically defined love, and the concurrent validity of a measure of beliefs about this love. The results from several analyses suggest that stereotypic love is predominantly a "g"' factor phenomenon in which obsessive thought processes are distinctive. The concurrent validity analyses suggest that the factors underlying responses to items from the Love Relationships Scale are meaningfully related to measures of Lee's (1973/1976) typology of love styles.
The Measurement of Preference for Course Structure and Preference for Course Difficulty: The Instructional Preferences Inventory (IPI)
Authors: Hocevar Dennis , Zimmer John , Strom Bruce
Published: March 2007

The development and psychometric characteristics of the Instructional Preferences Inventory, a measure of "classroom" personality, are described. This instrument was designed to measure preference for course structure (PCS) and preference for course difficulty (PCD). Statistical findings supported the instrument's reliability and factorial validity.
The Work Stress Inventory: Organizational Stress and Job Risk
Authors: Barone David F. , Caddy Glenn R. , Katell Alan D. , Roselione Frank B. , Hamilton Richard A.
Published: March 2007

Four studies involving over 1300 workers were conducted to develop a psychometrically adequate Work Stress Inventory. Its final form has 40 items, each rated on a 5-point scale for intensity and frequency of stress. Items cover organizational stress and job risk, shown to be factorially distinct. Intensity, frequency, and composite (I x F) indices for these two scales were found to have high internal consistency and good test-retest reliability. As predicted, frequency of organizational stress was moderately related to anxiety, satisfaction with supervision and work, and organizational commitment. Frequency of job risk was related only to anxiety and satisfaction with work. Intensity, although highly correlated with frequency, had lower correlations with other measures.
Rankings and Ratings of Values: Counseling Uses Suggested by Factoring Two Types of Scales for Female and Male Eleventh Grade Students
Authors: DeCasper Helen S. , Tittle Carol Kehr
Published: March 2007

This study examines the factor structure of rankings and ratings of three sets of values to illustrate how counselors can use them in working with female and male adolescent clients. The analyses of gender-related differences in rankings and ratings give counselors both within and between individual perspectives from which to explore the values students consider important in decisions to select an occupation, to marry, and to become a parent.
The Self Description Questionnaire III: Testing for Equivalent Factorial Validity across Ability
Authors: Byrne Barbara M.
Published: March 2007

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; LISREL) was used to (a) validate the Self Description Questionnaire III (SDQ III) subscales measuring general, school, English, and mathematics self-concepts for a sample of 898 (285 low track, 613 high track) grades 11 and 12 students, and (b) test the equivalency of the factor structure across academic track. The results confirmed a 4-factor structure and revealed all factor loadings and covariances to be invariant across groups; 11 of 21 uniquenesses were noninvariant. Although, in a strict statistical sense, the differentially reliable items bore implications of bias in favor of the high track, these discrepancies, on the basis of absolute values, were judged to be of little practical significance. Overall, in light of the stringency of LISREL CFA procedures in general, and those used in this study in particular, the SDQ III demonstrated exceptionally superior psychometric properties.
Factor Structure of the Family Environment Scale: Factors Based on Items and Subscales
Authors: Oliver J. M. , Handal Paul J. , Enos Diane M. , May Morton J.
Published: March 2007

The factor structure of the Family Environment Scale (FES; Moos, Insel, and Humphrey, 1974) was examined in a large heterogeneous urban sample of adolescents (N = 922) in two studies at two levels of analysis. Study 1 examined the subscale structure of the FES using individual items as the unit of analysis. Study 2 examined the superordinate dimensions of the FES using the subscales originally designed by Moos et al. as the unit of analysis. The 8-factor solution found to be most appropriate in Study 1 clearly resembled both the solution found by the only prior investigators to analyze an adolescent sample (Robertson and Hyude, 1982) and the subscales originally devised by Moos et al. This consistency needs to be qualified, however, by the inability of the solution to summarize subjects' responses satisfactorily, which suggests further research on the instrument would be helpful. Study 2 generally replicated two large factors found by other investigators, Cohesion vs. Conflict and Organization-Control.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Validation and Revision of a Teacher Stress Inventory
Authors: Schutz Robert W. , Long Bonita C.
Published: March 2007

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the structural reliability of the Teacher Stress Inventory (Pettegrew and Wolf, 1982) with data from 1486 elementary and secondary school teachers. Revisions to the instrument were required, resulting in a shortened 36-item, 7-factor measure. Cross-validation with CFA, reliability analyses, and divergent groups validation indicated that this revised inventory has a theoretically verifiable factor structure, good internal reliability, and support for construct validity.
The Factorial and Concurrent Validity of a Revised Form of the Study Attitudes and Methods Survey (SAMS)
Authors: Nadson Jennifer S. , Michael William B. , Michael Joan J.
Published: March 2007

For a total sample of 558 tenth-grade students evenly divided by sex and enrolled in a high school in a suburban middle-class community, two exploratory factor analyses of the intercorrelations of one set of 30 subtests and of another set of 18 subtests derived from a revised form of the Study Attitudes and Methods Survey (SAMS) were completed to obtain evidence concerning whether the six hypothesized constructs underlying the six factor scales could be reproduced. In addition, concurrent validity coefficients were obtained for each of the six factor scales from the SAMS with 8 subtests of the California Achievement Tests (CAT). In the first exploratory factor analysis five identifiable factors emerged; in the second analysis, only four. There was a tendency for factors of a positive or facilitative nature in the studying process to combine, whereas those factors hypothesized to represent negative or inhibitory affective activities could be differentiated from one another. Concurrent validity coefficients of the factor scales with achievement test measures were low as evidenced by only one coefficient in excess of .30.
Cluster Scores for the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale: Reliability and Independence
Authors: Cooley Eric , Ayres Robert
Published: March 2007

The six cluster scales of the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale were examined for reliability and independence. Half of the 155 sixth to eighth graders completing the scale were receiving some special education services. Results suggested the cluster scales showed adequate reliabilities with alphas ranging from .74 to .83, but the scales were quite highly intercorrelated with a mean r of .54. Removal of all overlapping items from the cluster scales reduced the interscale correlation mean to .44, with only a small drop in internal consistencies. Removal of overlapping items seems to be a favorable procedure if relative independence between self-concept dimensions is desired.
Psychosomatic Complaints Scale of Stress: Measure Development and Psychometric Properties
Authors: Greller Martin , Parsons Charles K.
Published: March 2007

A self-report measure of stress was developed and tested following Nunnally's (1967) three stages of construct development. The domain of indices, both physiological (somatic) and self (psychological) descriptors, was sampled and initially screened by experts. The items were then administered to a large sample of individuals employed by a large, city police department. Two sub-samples were formed representing different job classes; 781 police officers assigned to patrol duties and 271 officers assigned administrative duties. Because item response frequency distributions were non-normal, polychoric correlations were computed, followed by confirmatory, unrestricted least squares factor analysis in both samples. The factor analytic results support a single substantive dimension with a second, small method factor. A single somatic stress scale, based on the first factor, was then regressed against conditions of work and personal life known to be stress producing and demonstrated the expected relationships. Discussion of these results focused on the stability of the measure across populations, its theoretical meaning, its psychometric properties and how it fills a gap in the research that uses somatic scales of stress.
Reliability of the Q-Sort Inventory of Parenting Behaviors
Authors: Pease Damaris , Boger Robert , Melby Janet N. , Pfaff Judy , Wolins Leroy
Published: March 2007

Test-retest reliability on the Q-Sort Inventory of Parenting Behaviors was obtained by using a sample of 30 mothers of 3-year-old children. The inventory consists of 72 statements, each of which describes a different parenting behavior and utilizes a forced-choice format. Mothers independently sorted the statements into nine ordered categories along a continuum from "most like me" to "least like me" and repeated the sort 2 weeks later.

Analysis of variance and Pearson product-moment correlations indicated that the within-subject correlation between first and second sorts was .72. Of this total variability, .37 was common to all mothers. This variability was probably engendered by variance in social desirability of the items. Of the variance, 35% was due to reliable differences among respondents in the profile of item responses.
Validity of Health Self-Disclosure Importance Ratings
Authors: Byers Patricia H. , Lipe Diane M. , Collins Patricia M.
Published: March 2007

Validity of the importance rating scale on Dawson's Patient Self-Disclosure Instrument (PSDI) was addressed by examining predictions about differences in ratings between medical and mental health patients, and correlations between the PSDI and Jourard's SD-25. Results supported the predictions, attesting to the validity of the PSDI.
Stability of the Wide Range Achievement Test in an Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatient Setting
Authors: Dura Jason R. , Myers Eric G. , Freathy Debra T.
Published: March 2007

The Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT) is widely used to assess school achievement. The present investigation examined the stability of WRAT scores in 50 adolescent psychiatric inpatients. Comparisons were made between testing results near admission and immediately prior to discharge. The results supported the WRAT as a stable measure of school achievement in an inpatient adolescent population across time and diagnoses.
Basic Programs to Determine Sample Size and Exact Power in Anova Designs
Authors: Graf Richard G. , Alf Edward F.
Published: March 2007

Two BASIC programs are described. The first program calculates the sample size per treatment group (n) required to achieve the desired power in any fixed effect ANOVA design. The second program calculates the power to five decimal accuracy when df1, df2, alpha, and phi are provided, and can be used to determine the power that will result when an investigator uses some arbitrary sample size.
Maximum Likelihood Estimates of the Accuracy of Four Diagnostic Techniques
Authors: Streiner David L. , Miller Harold R.
Published: March 2007

This study examined the sensitivities and specificities of four diagnostic techniques used in psychiatry; the clinical interview, the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS), the Psychiatric Diagnostic Interview (PDI), and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI). Subjects consisted of 207 patients drawn from in- and out-patient units, and 32 people from a correctional institution. A maximum likelihood estimation approach was used to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of each instrument. It was found that no one technique was clearly superior to the others. The psychometric properties were highly dependent upon the diagnosis. It was concluded that structured interview schedules are preferred for making diagnoses, but that further development of them is necessary. Self-report scales may be most useful in the description and prediction of individual's behaviors in different situations.
An Investigation of Response Bias in the Chapman Scales
Authors: Peltier B. David , Walsh James A.
Published: March 2007

In this study, the major response sets that can adversely affect the validity and usefulness of trait scales are briefly described. Representative response set measures are then used to assess the degree to which scores on four of the Chapman Scales, which reportedly measure traits associated with psychosis proneness, are determined by such content-irrelevant factors. Evidence suggested that interpretations of the Chapman Scales were confounded by response set biases, and that the Chapman Scales have been simply measuring, to a considerable extent, the tendency of subjects to give socially desirable responses in self-description. Multiple regression and correlation techniques indicated that socially desirable and acquiescent response styles account for as much as 25% of the total variance in the Perceptual Aberration, Magical Ideation, and Impulsive Nonconformity Scales. However, no reliable response set predictors were identified for the Physical Anhedonia Scale. Results demonstrated that normal subjects were able to identify keyed responses on each of these selected Chapman scales, and successfully to fake their scores.
The Effects of the Number of Options per Item and Student Ability on Test Validity and Reliability
Authors: Trevisan Michael S. , Sax Gilbert , Michael William B.
Published: March 2007

Reliability and validity of multiple-choice examinations were computed as a function of the number of options per item and student ability for junior class parochial high school students administered the verbal section of the Washington Pre-College Test Battery. The least discriminating options were deleted to create 3- and 4-option test formats from the original 5-option item test. Students were placed into ability groups by using noncontiguous grade point average (GPA) cutoffs. The GPAs were the criteria for the validity coefficients. Significant differences (p c 0.05) were found between reliability coefficients for low ability students. The optimum number of options was three when the ability groups were combined. None of the validity coefficients followed the hypothesized trend. These results are part of the mounting evidence that suggests the efficacy of the 3-option item. An explanation is provided.
Powers of Goodness-of-Fit Tests in Detecting Balanced Mixed Normal Distributions
Authors: Bajgier Steve M. , Aggarwal Lalit K.
Published: March 2007

Measurements of a natural, social or psychological phenomenon in many cases come from a sample drawn from a mixture of populations. The presence of a mixed population and its characteristics however may be a-priori unknown. This state of ignorance can lead to bias in a summary measure of a phenomenon. In this paper, a test based on sample kurtosis is shown to be more powerful than other known tests in detecting a class of mixed normal distributions.
Factor Analysis of the 1985 Revision of Kolb's Learning Style Inventory
Authors: Cornwell John M. , Manfredo Pamela A. , Dunlap William P.
Published: March 2007

Kolb's earlier (1976) Learning Style Inventory (LSI) has been criticized for its poor reliability and validity. Even after revisions (1985) were made and a new instrument was developed, the test-retest reliability remained low. Although construct validity of the original instrument has been often investigated, little work has been done on the revised version. In this study, the responses of 317 subjects who completed the LSI-1985 were factor analyzed. Both a two- and a four-factor solution were examined to assess the adequacy of Kolb's four category description of learning style outcomes. The results afforded support for only two of the individual ability dimensions and little support for Kolb's two bipolar dimensions. Evidence is offered that bipolar dimensions orthogonal to those proposed by Kolb appear to offer a better description of the Learning Style Inventory. The effects of an ipsative scale on determining the factor structure of the LSI are also discussed.
The Circumplex Pattern of the Life Styles Inventory:A Reanalysis
Authors: Levin Joseph
Published: March 2007

Nediger and Chelladurai (1989) reported a principal components analysis of the Life Styles Inventory in a Canadian sample. They concluded that the solution did not exhibit the hypothesized circumplex pattern. A reanalysis of their intercorrelation matrix, using nonmetric multi-dimensional scaling, showed an almost perfect circumplex.
Effects of Computer-Based Tests on the Achievement, Anxiety, and Attitudes of Grade 10 Science Students
Authors: Chin Christine H. L. , Donn J. Stuart , Conry Robert F.
Published: March 2007

This study investigated the effects of a computer-based test on the achievement and test anxiety of students, explored the relationship between computer anxiety and computer experience, and assessed the affective impact of computerized testing on students. Fifty-four male and fifty-one female Grade 10 students were randomly assigned to take the computer-based or paper-and-pencil version of the test. They then completed a questionnaire which determined their computer experience, test anxiety and computer anxiety, and their reactions toward computer-based testing. The mean achievement score was significantly higher for the computer-based group. There was no significant difference in text anxiety between the groups. No significant relationship existed between the students' computer experience and the computer anxiety evoked as a result of taking the computer-based test. Reactions toward computer-based testing were generally positive. It is concluded that if computerized test-taking tasks are kept simple, even test-takers with minimal computer experience may not be disadvantaged.
The Relationship between Academic Achievement and Metacognitive Comprehension Monitoring Ability of Spanish Secondary School Students
Authors: Otero Jose , Campanario Juan Miguel , Hopkins Kenneth D.
Published: March 2007

A measure of metacognitive comprehension monitoring ability (CMA) was developed to determine whether this ability was related to academic achievement, as measured by marks (GPA) in several high school courses in Spain. CMA was found to be significantly related to GPA, although the correlations were not high, and decreased with grade level. CMA was highly related to grade level; an effect size of 1.0 was observed between mean scores at Grade 10 and Grade 12. CMA appears to have no relationship with gender.
The Factorial Validity of a Teacher Burnout Measure (Educators Survey) Administered to a Sample of Beginning Teachers in Elementary and Secondary Schools in California
Authors: Gold Yvonne , Roth Robert A. , Wright Claudia R. , Michael William B. , Chin-Yi Chen
Published: March 2007

For the Educators Survey, an inventory designed to assess teacher burnout in each of three scales representing constructs of Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Accomplishment, both exploratory (orthogonal and oblique) factor analyses and confirmatory factor analyses of the correlation matrix of 22 items administered to a sample of 133 elementary and secondary school beginning teachers lent support to a three-factor structure. It was concluded that this multidimensional instrument provides a promising level of construct validity for assessing teacher burnout.