Purpose: The purpose of the present work is to describe and illustrate the utility of a new tool for assessment of transcription agreement. Traditional measures have not characterized overall transcription agreement with sufficient resolution, specifically because they have often treated all phonetic differences between segments in transcriptions…

What do Elliot Eisner's discussions of objectivity mean for the strength of the link between consistency and truth in educational research? Following his lead, I pursue this question by comparing aspects of qualitative educational research with appraising the arts. I argue that some departures from the highest levels of consistency in assessing…

Research Findings: Few rating scales measure social competence in very young Spanish or Catalan children. We aimed to analyze the psychometric characteristics of the California Preschool Social Competence Scale (CPSCS) when applied to a Spanish- and Catalan-speaking population. Children were rated by their respective teachers within 6 months…

This study evaluated the impact of unequal reliability on test equating methods in the nonequivalent groups with anchor test (NEAT) design. Classical true score-based models were compared in terms of their assumptions about how reliability impacts test scores. These models were related to treatment of population ability differences by different…

Objective: Risk criteria for the Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT) and modified risk criteria (i.e. the Denver Criteria) were compared in a group of children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism. Method: Participants were 17 children aged 2-4 years with DNA confirmation of FXS. Four children had autism and 13 children did not. Results:…

Students' perceptions of actual and preferred classroom environment were investigated using the "What is happening in this class? questionnaire" (WIHIC). The WIHIC assesses seven classroom environment dimensions: student cohesiveness, teacher support, involvement, task orientation, investigation, cooperation and equity. A sample of 978…

The statistical properties of two methods of estimating gain scores for groups in quasi-experiments are compared: (1) gains in scores standardized separately for each group; and (2) analysis of covariance with estimated true pretest scores. The fan spread hypothesis is assumed for groups but not necessarily assumed for members of the groups.…

Various item selection techniques are compared on criterion-referenced reliability and validity. Techniques compared include three nominal criterion-referenced methods, a traditional point biserial selection, teacher selection, and random selection. (Author)

Research indicating that different cut-off points result from the use of different standard-setting techniques leaves decision makers with a disturbing dilemma: Which standard-setting method is best? This investigation of the reliability and validity of 10 different standard-setting approaches was designed to provide information that might help…

Examined the relative utility of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, the Quick Test, and the Revised Beta as measures of intelligence in relation to the Wechsler Scales. Brief measures were not acceptable Wechsler substitutes with juvenile delinquents. (Author)

Results indicate that because there is not an equivalent relationship between the WISC and WAIS, classification or retardation level and prognostic formulation using these tests should be made cautiously. (Author/CB)

Findings cast doubt on the overall utility of the CMAS with retarded children. (MB)

Directions are provided for the construction of a reduced size Rod and Frame Test. Simpler and less expensive, the proposed apparatus has criterion validity parallel to that of the full-sized. (GS)

Introduces the Job Components Inventory, a new job analysis technique examining the use of tools and equipment, physical and perceptual requirements, mathematical requirements, communication requirements, and decision-making and responsibility requirements. Results of a study of 100 job holders demonstrate a high reliability of the technique.…

Suicide rates of college and university populations are found to be lower than sex-matched comparison groups based on the 20 to 24-year-old population. (JMF)