Based on the control-value theory of achievement emotions and theory of achievement goals, this research provides evidence of convergent, divergent, and criterion validity of the Spanish Cognitive Test Anxiety Scale (S-CTAS). A sample of Argentinean undergraduates responded to several scales administered at three points. At time 1 and 3, the…

To efficiently assess multiple psychological constructs and to minimize the burden on respondents, psychologists increasingly use shortened versions of existing tests. However, compared to the longer test, a shorter test version may have a substantial impact on the reliability and the validity of the test scores in psychological research and…

Although problem-based learning (PBL) has been widely used in medical schools, few studies have attended to the assessment of PBL processes using validated instruments. This study examined reliability and validity for an instrument assessing PBL performance in four domains: Problem Solving, Use of Information, Group Process, and Professionalism.…

Objective: We assessed the validity of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC) as a screen for depression in Rwandan children and adolescents. Although the CES-DC is widely used for depression screening in high-income countries, its validity in low-income and culturally diverse settings, including sub-Saharan…

This focus article provided the author with an opportunity to unpack the consensus definition of validity and to explore its implications in the light of recent debates. He proposed an elaboration of the consensus definition, which was intended to express the spirit of the "Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing" with increased…

We examined the measurement properties of fall-related psychological instruments with a sample of 133 older adults (M age = 74.4 years, SD = 9.4). Measures included the Comprehensive Falls Risk Screening Instrument, Falls-efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC), modified Survey of Activities and Fear of…

This article describes the 2009 revision of the Dutch Rating System for Test Quality and presents the results of test ratings from almost 30 years. The rating system evaluates the quality of a test on seven criteria: theoretical basis, quality of the testing materials, comprehensiveness of the manual, norms, reliability, construct validity, and…

Accurate identification of young children at risk for mental health problems is a key step in establishing early childhood preventive intervention programs. Without psychometrically valid identification procedures, children in need of early intervention may not be identified and may not receive appropriate care. This article provides a review of…

Examined the ability of the Pain Assesment Index, determined from presurgery Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory scores, to predict outcome subsequent to lumbar laminectomy and discectomy. The PAI was found to have good ability to identify patients who were doing well after surgery, but low power in predicting which patients would have…

Vocational scales other than those describing the occupational group in question may often predict job performance. A case is reported using Holland's Self Directed Search and two groups of policemen. Scores on the Artistic and Conventional scales consistently predict effective performance as a patrolman. (Author)

The present study investigated the efficiency of various existing measures, mainly psychological tests, for predicting job performance of mentally retarded workers in a sheltered occupational shop. Results indicated that existing measures are predictive of performance on some but not all jobs in a sheltered workshop. (Author)

Two Minnesota Importance Questionnaire (MIQ) scales, Creativity and Independence were validated by experiment. Subjects (N=68) were exposed to four task conditions representing joint combinations of high or low levels of Creativity and Independence. The behavioral results were consistent with the subjects' MIQ score levels on the two scales,…

Fifteen female varsity softball coaches were administered the Sport Competition Anxiety Test prior to competition. Their heart rates, continuously monitored by tilemetry, did not relate significantly to the anxiety test data. The test does not appear to be a valid measure of trait anxiety for women softball coaches. (Author/PN)

In an attempt to discover an objective method of selecting effective resident advisors, experimentalists have employed previously designed psychological tests to test groups of applicants. The present study determined the effectiveness of the Personal Orientation Inventory as a predictive device for selection of successful resident advisors.…

Investigated predictive validity of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Test, using the Wide Range Achievement Test as criterion. Urban children referred for psychological evaluations were administered both instruments. Regression analyses were conducted. Results indicate the S-B IQ significantly predicts WRAT standard scores. (Author)