bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of a glossy collard trap crop on diamondback moth adult movement, oviposition, and larval survival
Authors: Musser Fred R. , Nault Brian A. , Nyrop Jan P. , Shelton Anthony M.
Published: September 2005

One component of developing a systematic approach for deployment of trap crops is to understand how the trap crop modifies pest behavior. Glossy‐leafed collards, Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala (Brassicaceae), were evaluated as a potential trap crop for diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), because they are attractive to P. xylostella adults and are a poor host for P. xylostella larvae compared to cabbage, Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata. We used large field plots to measure the changes in adult, egg, and larval P. xylostella densities in cabbage when the trap crop was planted in the field. Furthermore, we planted the trap crop in dispersed and concentrated spatial arrangements to determine the impact of trap crop arrangement on the behavior of P. xylostella. In 2002, results showed that the presence of collards within a cabbage field reduced larval density on cabbage. In 2003, neither trap crop arrangement had a significant impact on P. xylostella larval density on cabbage. Adult moths aggregated in proximity to collards in 2002, but not in 2003. Egg and larval data in both years in all treatments showed that total oviposition was highest near a central release point, indicating that females lay many eggs before dispersing very far when suitable host plants are available. The mean direction of P. xylostella movement and oviposition from a central release point was not consistent or correlated to wind direction. Plant size of the trap crop in relation to the main crop and environmental factors may have been responsible for the inconsistent effectiveness of the trap crop.
Factors affecting the evolution of development strategies in parasitoid wasps: the importance of functional constraints and incorporating complexity
Authors: Harvey Jeffrey A.
Published: September 2005

Parasitoid wasps have long been considered as model organisms for examining optimal resource allocation to different fitness functions, such as body size and development time. Unlike insect predators, which may need to consume many prey items to attain maturity, parasitoids generally rely on a limited amount of resources that are obtained from a single source (the host). This review discusses a range of ecophysiological constraints that affect host quality and concomitantly the evolution of development strategies in parasitoids. Two macroevolutionary differences in host usage strategies (idiobiosis, koinobiosis) are initially described. Over many years, particular attention has been paid in examining a range of quantitative host attributes such as size, age, or stage, as these affect idiobiont and koinobiont parasitoid development. Parasitoids and their hosts, however, constitute only a small part of an ecological community. Consequently, host quality may be affected by a broad range of factors that may operate over variable spatial and temporal scales. Intimate factors include aggressive competition with other parasitoids and pathogens for access to host resources, whereas less intimate factors include the effects of toxic plant compounds (allelochemicals) on parasitoid performance as mediated through primary and/or secondary hosts. It is suggested that future experiments should increase the levels of trophic complexity as these influence the evolution of life history and development strategies in parasitoids. This includes integration of a suite of direct and indirect mechanisms, including biological processes occurring in different ecological realms, such as above‐ground and below‐ground interactions.
Frequency, species and molecular characterization of oral Candida in hosts of different age in China
Authors: Qi Q. G. , Hu T. , Zhou X. D.
Published: September 2005

Introduction:  Research indicates that host age is a determining factor in yeast carriage. From the neonatal period, humans go through several dentition periods, and the emergence and substitution of teeth and changes in living habits greatly change the environment of the oral cavity, and therefore influence colonization by oral commensal organisms, certainly including Candida spp. No previous study of Candida carriage by different age groups divided by dentition has been reported. This study supplies data on the geographical specificity of C. albicans genotypic subgroup distribution.

Methods:  All test individuals came from a single geographical locale over a short period. Following mucosal swab sampling, CHROMagar Candida‐yeast differential media were used to determine the frequency of carriage and species. All C. albicans strains were confirmed by PCR and PCR using primers reported to span a transposable intron region in the 25S rRNA gene was used to determine genotypic subgroups.

Results:  The results demonstrate that for the tested population, the frequency of Candida species and the distribution of C. albicans genotypic subgroups varied with age group. With increasing age, the frequency of C. albicans decreases, non‐C. albicans yeasts increases; Genotypic subgroup A is the dominating strain in the oral cavities of healthy young individuals.

Conclusions:  The influence of dentition substitution on oral yeast carriage was minor.
Melatonin increases survival of HaCaT keratinocytes by suppressing UV‐induced apoptosis
Authors: Fischer T. W. , Zbytek B. , Sayre R. M. , Apostolov E. O. , Basnakian A. G. , Sweatman T. W. , Wortsman J. , Elsner P. , Slominski A.
Published: September 2005

Abstract:  Melatonin is a potent antioxidant and direct radical scavenger. As keratinocytes represent the major population in the skin and UV light causes damage to these cells, the possible protective effects of melatonin against UV‐induced cell damage in HaCaT keratinocytes were investigated in vitro. Cells were preincubated with melatonin at graded concentrations from 10−9 to 10−3 m for 30 min prior to UV irradiation at doses of 25 and 50 mJ/cm2. Biological markers of cellular viability such as DNA synthesis and colony‐forming efficiency as well as molecular markers of apoptosis were measured. DNA synthesis was determined by [3H]‐thymidine incorporation into insoluble cellular fraction, clonogenicity through plating efficiency experiments and apoptosis by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL) assay. DNA synthesis experiments showed a strong protective effect by preincubation with melatonin at concentrations of 10−4 m (P < 0.01) and 10−3 m (P < 0.001). Additional postirradiation treatment with melatonin showed no increase in the pre‐UV incubation protective effect. These results indicate that preincubation is a requirement for melatonin to exert its protective effects. The mechanism of melatonin's protective effect (10−6 to 10−3 m) includes inhibition of apoptosis as measured by TUNEL assay. Moreover, the biological significance of these effects is supported by clonogenic studies showing a significantly higher number of colonies in cultures treated with melatonin compared to controls. Thus, pretreatment with melatonin led to strong protection against UVB‐induced damage in keratinocytes.
Melatonin protects against lipopolysaccharide‐induced intra‐uterine fetal death and growth retardation in mice
Authors: Chen Yuan‐Hua , Xu De‐Xiang , Wang Jian‐Ping , Wang Hua , Wei Ling‐Zhen , Sun Mei‐Fang , Wei Wei
Published: September 2005

Abstract:  Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been associated with adverse developmental outcomes, including intra‐uterine fetal death (IUFD) and intra‐uterine growth retardation (IUGR). However, the exact mechanism for LPS‐induced IUFD and IURD remains unclear. LPS stimulates macrophages to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, we hypothesize that ROS may be involved in LPS‐induced IUFD and IURD. Melatonin is a powerful endogenous antioxidant. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of melatonin on LPS‐induced IUFD and IURD in ICR mice. All pregnant mice except controls received an intraperitoneal (75 μg/kg, i.p.) injection of LPS on gestational day (gd) 15–17. The experiment was carried out in two different modes. In mode A, the pregnant mice received two doses of melatonin within 24 hr, one (5 or 10 mg/kg) injected immediately after LPS and the other (5 or 10 mg/kg) injected at 3 hr after LPS. In mode B, the pregnant mice were pretreated with 10 mg/kg of melatonin 18 hr before LPS and then received two doses of melatonin in 24 hr, one (10 mg/kg) injected immediately after LPS and the other (10 mg/kg) injected 3 hr after LPS. The number of live fetuses, dead fetuses and resorption sites were counted on gd 18. Live fetuses in each litter were weighed. Crown‐rump and tail lengths were examined and skeletal development was evaluated. Results showed that post‐treatments with melatonin significantly attenuated LPS‐induced IUFD in a dose‐dependent manner. Surprisingly, pre‐ plus post‐treatments with melatonin almost blocked LPS‐induced IUFD. In addition, both post‐treatments and pre‐ plus post‐treatments with melatonin significantly alleviated LPS‐induced decreases in crown‐rump and tail lengths and reversed LPS‐induced skeletal developmental retardation. However, melatonin had little effect on LPS‐induced decrease in fetal weight. Furthermore, pre‐ plus post‐treatments with melatonin significantly attenuated LPS‐induced lipid peroxidation in maternal liver. These results indicate that melatonin protects against LPS‐induced IURD and IUGR via counteracting LPS‐induced oxidative stress.
Melatonin in higher plants: occurrence and possible functions
Authors: Kolář Jan , Macháčková Ivana
Published: September 2005

Abstract:  Melatonin may be ubiquitous in the plant kingdom. This review considers the evaluation of methods of melatonin determination in plant material and possible melatonin functions in plants. Concerning the determination methods, the only reliable techniques are liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry or gas chromatography – mass spectrometry after some purification steps of the extract. Melatonin was shown to delay flower induction in some photoperiodic plants and in the dinoflagellate Lingulodinium it replaces, in part, the requirement of darkness for cyst formation. Melatonin may also have a function as an antioxidant and it may possess some auxin‐like effects. Finally, it may act as a signal for interaction of plants with herbivores and pests. Further research is needed to clarify these potential functions.
Human Eosinophils Secrete Preformed, Granule‐Stored Interleukin‐4 Through Distinct Vesicular Compartments
Authors: Melo Rossana C. N. , Spencer Lisa A. , Perez Sandra A. C. , Ghiran Ionita , Dvorak Ann M. , Weller Peter F.
Published: September 2005

Secretion of interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) by leukocytes is important for varied immune responses including allergic inflammation. Within eosinophils, unlike lymphocytes, IL‐4 is stored in granules (termed specific granules) and can be rapidly released by brefeldin A (BFA)‐inhibitable mechanisms upon stimulation with eotaxin, a chemokine that activates eosinophils. In studying eotaxin‐elicited IL‐4 secretion, we identified at the ultrastructural level distinct vesicular IL‐4 transport mechanisms. Interleukin‐4 traffics from granules via two vesicular compartments, large vesiculotubular carriers, which we term eosinophil sombrero vesicles (EoSV), and small classical spherical vesicles. These two vesicles may represent alternative pathways for transport to the plasma membrane. Loci of both secreted IL‐4 and IL‐4‐loaded vesicles were imaged at the plasma membranes by a novel EliCell assay using a fluoronanogold probe. Three dimensional electron tomographic reconstructions revealed EoSVs to be folded, flattened and elongated tubules with substantial membrane surfaces. As documented with quantitative electron microscopy, eotaxin‐induced significant formation of EoSVs while BFA pretreatment suppressed eotaxin‐elicited EoSVs. Electron tomography showed that both EoSVs and small vesicles interact with and arise from granules in response to stimulation. Thus, this intracellular vesicular system mediates the rapid mobilization and secretion of preformed IL‐4 by activated eosinophils. These findings, highlighting the participation of large tubular carriers, provide new insights into vesicular trafficking of cytokines.
The Voices of Black and White Rural Battered Women in Domestic Violence Shelters*
Authors: Few April L.
Published: September 2005

Abstract: Very little research has examined the experiences of Black and White rural battered women. In this exploratory study of 88 participants, 30 rural battered women who sought assistance from domestic violence shelters in southwest Virginia were interviewed. Black and White rural women's experiences in the shelters, helpseeking, and perceived social support during and after their stay in the shelter were compared. Future research directions and suggestions to improve services are presented.
Special Needs Adoption: An Ecological Systems Approach
Authors: Schweiger Wendi K. , O'Brien Marion
Published: September 2005

Abstract: Because of changes in legislation and policies regarding child welfare, increasing numbers of older children are being placed for adoption. Many of these children are defined as having “special needs” and include children who are at risk for physical, emotional, or behavioral problems. We use Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory as a framework to review the literature regarding child and family adjustment to adoption, with particular emphasis on special needs adoptions. We include recommendations for improvements in pre‐ and post‐adoption intervention services based on an ecological model.
Parental Bonding and Identity Style as Correlates of Self‐Esteem Among Adult Adoptees and Nonadoptees*
Authors: Passmore Nola L. , Fogarty Gerard J. , Bourke Carolyn J. , Baker‐Evans Sandra F.
Published: September 2005

Abstract:Adult adoptees (n= 100) and nonadoptees (n= 100) were compared with regard to self‐esteem, identity processing style, and parental bonding. Although some differences were found with regard to self‐esteem, maternal care, and maternal overprotection, these differences were qualified by reunion status such that only reunited adoptees differed significantly from nonadoptees. Moreover, hierarchical regression analyses indicated that parental bonding and identity processing style were more important than adoptive status per se in predicting self‐esteem. Implications for practitioners who work with adoptees are discussed.
Community Attitudes Toward Birth Fathers’ Motives for Adoption Placement and Single Parenting
Authors: Miall Charlene E. , March Karen
Published: September 2005

Abstract: Community attitudes toward birth fathers were examined using 82 exploratory qualitative interviews and 706 survey respondents in Canada. Community attitudes were more positive toward birth fathers raising their children over adoption, when birth mothers were unable or unwilling to parent the child. Overall, respondents considered birth fathers choosing adoption as responsible, caring, and unselfish. However, women disproportionately considered birth fathers choosing adoption as irresponsible and uncaring. Men considered these fathers too young, unable to provide, or powerless against the birth mother and her wishes. We consider implications for practitioners working with birth fathers dealing with adoption decisions and offer suggestions for further research.
The spin period—eccentricity relation of double neutron stars: evidence for weak supernova kicks?
Authors: Dewi J. D. M. , Podsiadlowski Ph. , Pols O. R.
Published: September 2005

Double neutron stars (DNSs), binary systems consisting of a radio pulsar and a generally undetected second neutron star (NS), have proven to be excellent laboratories for testing the theory of general relativity. The seven systems discovered in our Galaxy exhibit a remarkably well-defined relation between the pulsar spin period and the orbital eccentricity. Here we show, using a simple model where the pulsar is spun up by mass transfer from a helium star companion, that this relation can only be produced if the second neutron star received a kick that is substantially smaller (with a velocity dispersion of less than 50 km s−1) than the standard kick received by a single radio pulsar. This demonstrates that the kick mechanism depends on the evolutionary history of the NS progenitor and that the orbital parameters of DNSs are completely determined by the evolution in the preceding helium star–neutron star phase. This has important implications for estimating the rates of NS–NS mergers, one of the major potential astrophysical sources for the direct detection of gravitational waves, and for short-period gamma-ray bursts.
A CROSS‐VALIDATION STUDY OF THE ITEM ORDERING OF THE PEABODY PICTURE VOCABULARY TEST1
Authors: RENZULLI JOSEPH S. , PAULUS DIETER H.
Published: September 2005

A subset of the items of both forms of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) was administered to a sample of 452 fourth‐, fifth‐ and sixth‐grade students. This sample of students was randomly divided into two equal subgroups. Item difficulty indices were calculated for each of the two subsamples for each of the two forms of the test. Data obtained from the first subsample were used to evaluate the published ordering of items of Forms A and B of the PPVT and to reorder the items according to the empirically derived item difficulties. The second subsample was used as a cross‐validation sample to evaluate the empirically derived reordering of items. The results of the cross‐validation of the reordering indicate a substantial and significant increase in the validity of the item orderings for this subset of items on both forms of the PPVT. Therefore, this new ordering may yield a more accurate estimate of the intelligence of average and above students in the fourth‐, fifth‐, and sixth‐grades than the present, published ordering of items.
A NOTE ON THE RELATIVE SIZES OF THE STANDARD ERRORS OF TWO RELIABILITY ESTIMATES
Authors: CLEARY T. ANNE , LINN ROBERT L.
Published: September 2005

Formulas for the standard error of a parallel‐test correlation and for the Kuder‐Richardson formula 20 reliability estimate are provided. Given equal values of the two reliabilities in the population, the standard error of the Kuder‐Richardson formula 20 is shown to be somewhat smaller than the standard error of a parallel‐test correlation for reliability values, sample sizes, and test lengths that are usually encountered in practice.
A MODEL FOR USING THE FINAL EXAMINATION AS A MEASURE OF THE AMOUNT LEARNED IN CLASSROOM LEARNING1
Authors: CARVER RONALD P.
Published: September 2005

A student's score on the final examination in a classroom learning situation does not necessarily represent the amount learned during the course. Various measures of gain have been advanced to measure the amount learned, but all have subsequently been found inadequate. It is hypothesized that the relationship between test scores and knowledge is curvilinear. A rationale is presented for the curvilinear nature of the posited relationship and for the fit of the model to classroom learning. From hypothetical data conforming to the model expressed in a mathematical formula, it was shown that it is possible for the final examination to be the best indicant of amount learned, even though individuals are not equal in proficiency at the beginning of the learning task. Based upon several considerations it was concluded that, at present, the best indicant of amount learned in many classroom situations is the final examination.
COMPUTER‐ASSISTED ITEM WRITING—1 (SPELLING ITEMS)1
Authors: FREMER JOHN , ANASTASIO ERNEST J.
Published: September 2005

The current study demonstrates the potential usefulness of the computer as a tool for an item writer. A spelling item type was used for this demonstration, as it seemed to have the fewest facets or dimensions. An analysis was then made of the types of misspellings which are used by writers of spelling items. A set of error‐generation rules was developed and a computer program, The MISSPELLER, was written. A sample of words was fed into the computer and a list of misspelled words, separated into previously defined error categories, was created. The list was then evaluated by spelling‐test developers and judged to be a useful resource.
AN EXPERIMENTAL COMPARISON OF ITEM SAMPLING AND EXAMINEE SAMPLING FOR ESTIMATING TEST NORMS
Authors: OWENS THOMAS R. , STUFFLEBEAM DANIEL L.
Published: September 2005

An empirical comparison of the accuracy of item sampling and examinee sampling in estimating norm statistics. Item samples were composed of 3, 6, or 12 items selected from a total test of 50 multiple‐choice vocabulary questions. Overall, the study findings provided empirical evidence that item sampling is approximately as effective as examinee sampling for estimating the population mean and standard deviation. Contradictory trends occurred for lower ability and higher ability student populations in accuracy of estimated means and standard deviations when the number of items administered increased from 3 to 6 to 12. The findings from this study indicate that the variation of sequences of items occurring in item sampling need not have a significant affect on test performance.
THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENTIAL WEIGHTING OF INDIVIDUAL ITEM RESPONSES ON THE PREDICTIVE VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF AN APTITUDE TEST
Authors: SABERS DARRELL L. , WHITE GORDON W.
Published: September 2005

An empirical investigation of the effect of choice weight scoring on predictive validity and reliability. Choice weight scoring refers to the procedure whereby different weights may be assigned to all the options of an item. Four groups of subjects were included in the experiment. Weights derived from each group were used to score tests for another group in order to assess the cross‐validity of the weighted scoring. In no case did the increments in reliability and validity due to the weighted scoring exceed .03.
A SCALE FOR MEASURING CAMPUS MORALE
Authors: ROBINSON LORA , SELIGMAN RICHARD
Published: September 2005

A campus morale scale, based on 22 items selected from Pace's College and University Environment Scales, is described.
THE INFLUENCE OF EXAMINER RACE ON FIRST‐GRADE AND KINDERGARTEN SUBJECTS' PEABODY PICTURE VOCABULARY TEST SCORES1
Authors: ABRAMSON THEODORE
Published: September 2005

This investigation examined the effect of the race of both the subjects (Ss) and examiners (Es) on the 5's performance on an individually administered vocabulary test. The tests administered by two white and two Negro Es to 88 and 113 white and Negro first‐grade and kindergarten Ss, respectively, in an integrated urban school found a small but statistically significant interaction of E's race and S's race on test performance for the first‐grade but not for the kindergarten. These findings are limited to young children who were in an urban school setting for at least five months and who were given an encoding type task by an adult whom they had usually seen at least once a day in their school environment.
THE COMPREHENSIVE MATHEMATICS INVENTORY: AN EXPERIMENTAL INSTRUMENT FOR ASSESSING YOUNGSTERS ENTERING SCHOOL
Authors: REA ROBERT E. , REYS ROBERT E.
Published: September 2005

Described is an instrument designed to measure quantitative ideas of young children in the areas of money, vocabulary, number, geometry, pattern identification, measurement, and recall.
REJOINDER TO KNAPP'S NOTE
Authors: CARVER RONALD P.
Published: September 2005

Although the expression cited by Knapp () is the way to calculate amount learned within the confines of the specific mathematical formulas presented by Carver, the opinion was expressed that f (final test score) would remain one of the best indicants of amount learned under other hypothesized curvilinear models.
THE VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF ORAL EXAMINATIONS IN ASSESSING COGNITIVE SKILLS IN MEDICINE1
Authors: LEVINE HAROLD G. , McGUIRE CHRISTINE H.
Published: September 2005

In order to attempt to assess aspects of clinical competence, not adequately assessed by other means, the Center for the Study of Medical Education, University of Illinois College of Medicine together with the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery developed oral examinations in formats specifically designed to yield information on high level cognitive functioning. The examinations were administered to 784 candidates for certification in January 1968. Reliability of the oral problem‐solving component score pooled from four examiners was approximately .50. Assessment of content, construct, and concurrent validity made by questionnaire and factor analytic studies indicated that the oral tests identified factors not measured by multiple‐choice tests and, therefore, significantly improved the relationship between supervisory evaluations and test scores.
GRADE LEVEL, SEX, AND SELECTED ASPECTS OF TEST‐WISENESS1
Authors: SLAKTER MALCOLM J. , KOEHLER ROGER A. , HAMPTON SANDRA H.
Published: September 2005

Measures of four selected aspects of test‐wiseness (TW) were constructed for use in grades 5 through 11, and administered to students in two school systems. In each case the grade effects were significant at the .05 level, with a linear trend indicated. There was no evidence of sex, or sex by grade interaction effects.
ALLOCATION OF ITEMS AND EXAMINEES IN ESTIMATING A NORM DISTRIBUTION BY ITEM‐SAMPLING
Authors: SHOEMAKER DAVID M.
Published: September 2005

A norm distribution consisting of test scores received by 810 college students on a 150 item dichotomously‐scored 4‐alternative multiple‐choice test was empirically estimated through several item‐examinee sampling procedures. The post mortum item‐sampling investigation was specifically designed to manipulate systematically the variables of number of subtests, number of items per subtest, and number of examinees responding to each subtest. Defining one observation as the score received by one examinee on one item, the results suggest that as the number of observations increases beyond 1.23% of the data base all procedures produce stochastically equivalent results. The results of this investigation indicate that, in estimating a norm distribution by item‐sampling, the variable of importance is not the item‐sampling procedure per se but is instead the number of observations obtained by the procedure. It should be noted, however, that in this investigation the test score norm distribution was approximately symmetrical and the possibility should not be overlooked that item‐sampling as a procedure may be robust only for symmetrical norm distributions.
THE STRUCTURE OF PRIMARY MENTAL ABILITIES OF BELGIAN SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
Authors: MEURIS GEORGES
Published: September 2005

A factor analysis was conducted of a test battery designed for use with Belgian secondary school students and based on Thurstone's earlier work on the primary mental abilities. The analysis provided construct validity evidence for the existence of verbal, numerical, spatial, and reasoning abilities in the Belgian sample and thus confirmed the theoretical conceptions guiding the development of the test battery. An examination of the factorial organization of these mental abilities for different age groups revealed a progressive differentiation of abilities with age. There was also evidence that intensive academic specialization improves performance in the abilities required by these specializations.
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE CONTEXT EFFECT IN MATRIX SAMPLING1
Authors: SIROTNIK KEN
Published: September 2005

Practical use of the matrix sampling (i.e. item sampling) technique requires the assumption that an examinee's response to an item is independent of the context in which the item occurs. This assumption was tested experimentally by comparing the responses of examinees to a population of items with the responses of examinees to item samples. Matrix sampling mean and variance estimates for verbal, quantitative, and attitude tests were used as dependent variables to test for differences between the “context” and “out‐of‐context” groups. The estimates obtained from both treatment groups were also compared with actual population values. No significant differences were found between treatments on matrix sample parameter estimates for any of the three types of tests.
A STUDENT COURSE EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE
Authors: SPENCER RICHARD E. , ALEAMONI LAWRENCE M.
Published: September 2005

A student course evaluation questionnaire, based upon 50 items and used at 13 different institutions, is described.
LEARNING TEST‐WISENESS BY PROGRAMMED TEXTS1
Authors: SLAKTER MALCOLM J. , KOEHLER ROGER A. , HAMPTON SANDRA H.
Published: September 2005

High school seniors (84 males, 77 females) were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. One group received a programmed text designed to teach Ss to answer every item on an examination, whether or not the directions included a penalty for incorrect answers. The other group was administered a programmed text to teach certain selected aspects of test‐wiseness. Each group served as the control group for the other. The following day all Ss were administered a measure of willingness to guess and a measure of test‐wiseness. Two weeks later, all Ss received additional measures of willingness to guess and test‐wiseness. Analysis of the data indicated the group that received the guessing program answered significantly more items than its control group (on both the immediate and delayed tests), even though there was a penalty for incorrect answers. In similar fashion, the group exposed to the test‐wiseness program achieved significantly higher mean test‐wiseness scores than its control group.
ITEM‐EXAMINEE SAMPLING PROCEDURES AND ASSOCIATED STANDARD ERRORS IN ESTIMATING TEST PARAMETERS
Authors: SHOEMAKER DAVID M.
Published: September 2005

Selected parameters for a negatively skewed and a normally distributed normative distribution were estimated in a post mortem item‐examinee sampling investigation. Manipulated systematically were number of subtests, number of items per subtest, and number of examinees responding to each sub‐test. Each item‐examinee sampling procedure was replicated five times. Defining one observation as the score received by one examinee on one item, the results of this investigation support the conclusion that, in estimating parameters by item‐examinee sampling, the variable of importance is not the item‐examinee sampling procedure but is instead the number of observations obtained by that procedure. Degree of skewness in the normative distribution and failure to distribute all items among subtests were found to be relatively unimportant variables.
SOME PROPERTIES OF THE PERSONAL BISERIAL INDEX
Authors: FISCHER FREDERIC E.
Published: September 2005

The personal biserial index is a correlation which measures the relationship between the difficulty of the items in a test for the person, as evidenced by his passes and failures, and the difficulty of the items, as evidenced by group‐determined item difficulties. Properties of the personal biserial index were studied empirically, including an examination of the reliability of the index and the effect of using the index as a predictor of college success. The findings include that the reliability of the index is quite low and that a knowledge of the index does not significantly increase the predictability of college success from SAT scores and high school averages. Evidence was provided which supports the hypothesis that the personal biserial index is sensitive to variations in the extent to which examinees guess.
THE INFLUENCE OF VARIABLES OTHER THAN KNOWLEDGE ON PROBABILISTIC TESTS
Authors: HANSEN RICHARD
Published: September 2005

In probabilistic test and scoring systems the examinee is required to respond to each of the options of a multiple‐choice test with a probability which represents the confidence he has in that option. It seems reasonable to assume that for such tests to yield valid information about the examinees, the knowledge they have should be the primary influence on the probabilities they assign. The purpose of this study was to seek the relationship between the degree to which examinees display certainty in their responses and certain personality variables. Proponents of probabilistic testing would expect such correlations to be low. In this stud), it was found that individuals do respond to multiple‐choice questions with a characteristic certainty that cannot be accounted for on the basis of their knowledge. This certainty was related to scores of both the F Scale and the Kogan and Wallach risk taking measure.
CONCEPTS OF CULTURE‐FAIRNESS
Authors: THORNDIKE ROBERT L.
Published: September 2005

Fairness of a test relates to fair use. One definition of fair use states that a common qualifying score may be used with two groups if the regression line based on one group does not systematically over‐ or under‐predict criterion performance in the other. However, it is shown that when the two groups differ appreciably in mean test score, the above procedure, which is “fair” to individual members of the group scoring lower on the test, is “unfair” to the lower group as a whole in the sense that the proportion qualified on the test will be smaller, relative to the higher‐scoring group, than the proportion that will reach any specified level of criterion performance. An alternate definition would specify that the qualifying scores on a test should be set at levels that will qualify applicants in the two groups in proportion to the fraction of the two groups reaching a specified level of criterion performance.
ANOTHER LOOK AT “CULTURAL FAIRNESS”1
Authors: DARLINGTON RICHARD B.
Published: September 2005

Four definitions of “cultural fairness” are examined and found to be not only mutually contradictory (for reasons which are explained), but all based on the false view that optimum treatment of cultural factors in test construction or test selection can be reduced to completely mechanical procedures. If a conflict arises between the two goals of maximizing a test's validity and minimizing the test's discrimination against certain cultural groups, then a subjective, policy‐level decision must be made concerning the relative importance of the two goals. The terms in which this judgment should be made are described, and methods are described for entering the result of this judgment into mechanical procedures for constructing a “culturally optimum” test. Such a test will not necessarily fit any of the four definitions of “cultural fairness.”
THE FUNCTIONS OF COLLEGE ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES
Authors: BAIRD LEONARD L.
Published: September 2005

Current college environmental measures are examined with reference to several criteria: whether they are designed to obtain general knowledge or to aid decision making, whether they provide information that distinguishes among institutions or within institutions, and whether they focus on an institution's characteristics or on the people in the institution. Current measures do not seem to be expressly designed to provide information for decision making or information about problems within institutions.
ASSESSING KNOWLEDGE OF CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES
Authors: JENKINS JOSEPH R. , DENO STANLEY L.
Published: September 2005

Several item‐types which may be used to test for the acquisition of subject‐matter concepts and principles are described. Each item‐type is discussed in terms of its ability to tap more than reproductive capabilities. Research hypotheses deducible from the item‐types are presented and discussed.
TOWARD AN IMPROVED MEASURE OF REMOTE ASSOCIATIONAL ABILITY
Authors: WORTHEN BLAINE R. , CLARK PHILIP M.
Published: September 2005

A lack of satisfaction with existing measures of creativity and the need for a more theoretically sophisticated approach to measurement in this area were identified Mednick's remote association theory of creative behavior was reviewed, and Mednick and Mednick's operationalization of that position, the Remote Associates Test (RAT), was analyzed both logically and empirically. An alternative measure of remote associational ability, the Functionally Remote Associates Test (FRAT), was offered as a more logical extension of Mednick's theory. Empirical data were presented which suggest the superiority of FRAT to RAT as a measure of creativity.
CONVERTING TEST DATA TO COUNSELING INFORMATION: SYSTEM TRIAL‐WITH FEEDBACK1
Authors: PREDIGER DALE J.
Published: September 2005

A computer‐based system for converting test data into locally‐validated counseling information was developed and field tested with potential vocational school students. Two data‐information conversion procedures were used: similarity (centour) scores based on discriminant analyses and success estimates based on experience tables. Longitudinal validation analyses involving over 1500 students and 20 interest and aptitude measures provided the empirical base for the data‐information conversion procedures. Similarity scores and success estimates were developed for each of the 12 vocational program areas in which the students enrolled. These reporting procedures were field tested with 1000 students enrolled in 12 high schools, Illustrations of the similarity score reporting procedures are provided along with summaries of student reactions to these procedures.
A PROPOSED TECHNIQUE FOR IMPROVING PREDICTION OF COLLEGE GRADES USING MORE INFORMATION FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL RECORD1
Authors: JUDY CHESTER J.
Published: September 2005

An attempt is made to cite some of the literature and experience which has led the author to the conclusion that there may be major payoff in a new look at the high school record as a source of information for improving the prediction of college “'success.” A brief expository description of a suggested method for handling the available information is then given. The method entails an empirical keying of selected elements of information contained on high school transcripts against a criterion of first year grade point averages in college. Increased accuracy in prediction through the use of the kind of “education index” derived should, the author believes, permit college admissions officers to identify better, potential students for whom alternative training programs should be recommended or devised. Increased accuracy should allow better decisions with respect to the appropriateness of alternative curriculums within the college or university.
ELIMINATION SCORING: AN EMPIRICAL EVALUATION
Authors: COLLET LEVERNE S.
Published: September 2005

The purpose of this paper was to provide an empirical test of the hypothesis that elimination scores are more reliable and valid than classical corrected for‐guessing scores or weighted‐choice scores. The evidence presented supports the hypothesized superiority of elimination scoring.
SEX AS PREDICTIVE OF SALARY AND STATUS ON A UNIVERSITY FACULTY
Authors: LOEB JANE , FERBER MARIANNE
Published: September 2005

An investigation of the existence and extent of sex‐based inequities in rank and pay on a University faculty yielded several suggestions of discrimination against women. Data on professional experience, publications, honors, rank and pay were collected by means of a questionnaire distributed to 372 faculty members. Within a sample of 128 who answered all requisite items, sex added significantly to the predictability of salary beyond that achieved by multiple measures of merit and experience, including mean salary for rank and department. Sex itself did not predict rank or a measure designed to reflect speed of advancement through the ranks. Terms reflecting interactions of sex and merit were capable of improving prediction of all three status measures, however, suggesting differences in the reward structure for the sexes.
THE SPEEDEDNESS QUOTIENT: A NEW DESCRIPTIVE STATISTIC FOR TESTS
Authors: STAFFORD RICHARD E.
Published: September 2005

It is proposed to describe the speededness of a test by a new statistic, the Speededness Quotient (SQ). The SQ is derived by dividing the total number of unattempted items by the total number of errors. It is suggested that test publishers should report the SQ of a test especially when reporting the reliability as an odd‐even correlation coefficient.
THE FORCED‐FREE DISTINCTION IN Q TECHNIQUE1
Authors: BROWN STEVEN R.
Published: September 2005

Arguments favoring free‐ over forced‐distribution Q sorts have assumed that forcing leads to loss of important statistical information and interferes with interval properties, rendering Pearson's r inappropriate for analysis. Q sorts with identical item orderings but with varied distributions are shown to provide essentially the same correlations and factor structures when coefficients are computed using Spearman's rs, Kendall's τ, and Pearson's r, leading to the conclusion that the same results are obtained, despite distribution and whether interval or ordinal statistics are used.
THE EFFECT OF ANSWER SHEET FORMAT ON TEST PERFORMANCE BY CULTURALLY DISADVANTAGED FOURTH GRADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PUPILS
Authors: SOLOMON ALAN
Published: September 2005

Answer sheet format was shown to have no effect on the test performance of culturally deprived fourth grade elementary school students.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF ACADEMIC INTEREST MEASURES TO THE DIFFERENTIAL PREDICTION OF MARKS
Authors: KATZ MARTIN , NORRIS LILA
Published: September 2005

In a study of differential predictions of course marks in grades 12 and 13 interest measures were found to add appreciably to differential validities, particularly at the high school level. Differential validities remained quite low; however–typically in the .20's and .30's‐probably because of high intercorrelations among the criteria. The relationship between intercorrelations of actual criteria and intercorrelations of predicted criteria was examined, and the implications of this relationship for differential validities were discussed.
AN INTERPRETATION OF LIVINGSTON'S RELIABILITY COEFFICIENT FOR CRITERION‐REFERENCED TESTS
Authors: HARRIS CHESTER W.
Published: September 2005

An alternative interpretation of Livingston's reliability coefficient is based on the notion of the relation of the size of the reliability coefficient to the range of talent. It is shown that the (generally) larger Livingston coefficient does not imply a smaller standard error of measurement and consequently does not imply a more dependable determination of whether or not a true score falls below (or exceeds) a given criterion value.
SOME RESULTS RELATING TO TEST EQUATING UNDER RELAXED TEST FORM EQUIVALENCE
Authors: MARKS EDMOND , LINDSAY CARL A.
Published: September 2005

Educational measurement specialists in undertaking test equating in applied settings have been plagued by the absence of a logically or mathematically compelling rationale for their test equating efforts. Classical test theory and other test theories based on the assumption of identically distributed true scores are tautological in terms of test equating. The present study examined (by means of a Monte Carlo procedure) the effects of four parameters on the accuracy of test equating under a relaxed definition of test form equivalence. The four parameters studied were sample size, test form length, test form reliability, and the correlation between the true scores of the test forms to be equated. Significant interactions involving sample size and the other parameters indicated that smaller samples of observations yielded disproportionately larger errors in test equating for fixed values of the test form parameters. In terms of main effects, sample size emerged as most important in controlling equating error. Taken together, the results suggest that when test equating is carried out on larger samples of observations, errors of equating will tend to be relatively small even though the test forms are not strictly parallel. For arbitrarily small samples, however, errors of equating will tend to be larger regardless of how equivalent the test forms are.
CRITERION‐REFERENCED TESTING: COMMENTS ON RELIABILITY1
Authors: SHAVELSON RICHARD J. , BLOCK JAMES H. , RAVITCH MICHAEL M.
Published: September 2005

Currently there is concern among some educators regarding the reliability of criterion‐referenced (CR) measures. In this comment, a recent attempt to develop a theory of reliability for CR measures is examined, and some considerations for determining the reliability of CR measures are discussed. Conventional reliability statistics (e.g., coefficient alpha, standard error of measurement) are found appropriate for CR measures satisfying the assumptions of the measurement model underlying classical test theory. For measures with underlying multidimensional traits, conventional reliability statistics may be used at the homogeneous subscale level. When the confidence interval about a student's “below criterion score” includes the criterion, additional evidence about the student should be obtained. Two‐stage sequential testing is suggested as one method for acquiring additional evidence.
DIMENSIONS OF EDUCATIONAL ATTITUDES: FACTORIAL CONGRUENCE OF TWO SCALES
Authors: SONTAG MARVIN , PEDHAZUR ELAZAR
Published: September 2005

A second‐order factor analysis of responses to Kerlinger's ES‐VII and Oliver and Butcher's Survey of Opinions about Education was performed. Both scales were designed to measure “Attitudes toward Education”. Seven first‐order factors emerged, as follows: (1) Career Training; (2) Moral vs. Religious Training; (3) Corporal Punishment; (4) Individualized Instruction; (5) Subject Matter and Knowledge; (6) Expansion of Education; and (7) School as a Social Force. Two second‐order factors emerged. The first was a bipolar factor involving Kerlinger's concept of “Traditionalism” and Oliver and Butcher's “Tendermindedness”. The second combined Kerlinger's “Progressivism” with Oliver and Butcher's “Radicalism”.
A MONTE CARLO STUDY OF ITEM SAMPLING (VERSUS TRADITIONAL SAMPLING) FOR NORM CONSTRUCTION1
Authors: BARCIKOWSKI ROBERT S.
Published: September 2005

Using a computer‐based model of an item trace line, a random sampling experiment concerned with comparing item sample estimates to traditional (examinee) sample estimates of the mean and variance of a distribution of test scores was conducted. The results indicated that the optimal method for estimating a test's parameters may depend on several conditions. As expected, item sampling proved superior to traditional sampling in estimating test means under all conditions. However, with certain test lengths, ranges of item difficulty, and discrimination, traditional sampling provided better estimates of test variance than did item sampling.
EFFECTS OF VIOLATING ITEM CONSTRUCTION PRINCIPLES1
Authors: McMORRIS ROBERT F. , BROWN JAMES A. , SNYDER GERALD W. , PRUZEK ROBERT M.
Published: September 2005

Two forms of a social studies achievement test were constructed with half the items for each form containing a cue, grammar, or length fault. Faults were found to make the items easier, which was supported by confidence intervals for the differences. However, validity coefficients with achievement and intelligence criteria, as well as the reliability coefficients, were virtually unchanged. The results agreed with those of Dunn and Goldstein (1959), even though the methodology differed. A suggested measure of test‐wiseness for groups is presented.