A scaling procedure has been developed for ordering binary parallelogram preference data. The procedure uses minimum variance of the item ranks averaged across persons as the optimization criterion. Two seriation strategies are employed. One is pairwise interchange. The second joins together the vector end points and breaks this circle between…

Describes the development of a scale to measure environmental attitudes of grade school children. The scale items reflect children's knowledge of environmental issues, and the scale uses an age-appropriate format. The scale's 25 items were selected through item analysis from a larger pool of items. Discusses potential use for research and…

Guidelines for the construction and use of an attitude instrument are presented, and the application of the instrument to measure student attitude toward economics is described. Attention is directed to the Likert-like summated forced-choice variety of attitude instrument, whereby attitude toward the object is inferred from the summed responses to…

This paper discusses a survey instrument that was developed to measure educators' receptivity to the inclusion of elements of global education in the curriculum. The instrument was designed to elicit attitudinal responses. Responses were measured using a six point, strongly-agree-to-strongly-disagree, Likert type scale. A random sample of K-12…

Presents a validation procedure for the Computer Literacy Examination: Cognitive Aspect, a test assessing high school students' computer literacy levels. Steps in the test's construction process are explained, data collected during its validation phase are analyzed, and conclusions on its validity and reliability are discussed. The final test…

Describes a study in which 46 high socioeconomic status elementary and secondary children were exposed to Logo and Bank Street Writer at a computer camp. After exposure, children 12 and under minimally shifted toward an internal locus of control as measured by the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale for Children. (Author/MBR)

Reports the rationale, design, validation, and uses of the "Force Concept Inventory," an instrument to assess the students' beliefs on force. Includes results and implications of two studies that compared the inventory with the "Mechanics Baseline." Includes a copy of the instrument. (MDH)

The purpose of this study was to develop inventory items that measure the study habits and behaviors of adult students from a variety of college settings. There were two specific objectives: (1) to acquire as large and heterogeneous a sample as possible in order to factor out significant study behavior constructs for building a diagnostic and…

This paper presents the dual approach to item bias detection employed in the Maryland Functional Testing Program (MFTP). Using instructional objectives mandated by the Maryland State Board of Education, the MFTP develops two levels of the Maryland Functional Reading Test (MFRT) and the Maryland Functional Mathematics Tests (MFMT). These…