Objective: This study compared the psychometric properties of the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R) and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) in children with major depressive disorder. Method: Children (N = 96; ages 8 to 11 years inclusive) with nonpsychotic major depressive disorder were enrolled. Participants…

This study examined the reliability and validity of the youth version of the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART-Y) for assessing adolescent risk behaviors among a sample of 98 inner-city African American adolescents (M age = 14.8, SD = 1.5). In addition to a relation with sensation seeking, BART-Y responding evidenced a significant relation with a…

The concept of the "voice" as developed by Robert W, Firestone (1984 and later) has been hypothesized as an essential mechanism in self-destructive behavior in general and suicide in particular. This study applies the theory of the voice to the development of the Firestone Voice Scale for Self-Destructive Behavior (FVSSDB). The FVSSDB…

Evidence on the predictive validity of the Vane Kindergarten Test (VKT) as a part of the comprehensive screening and assessment battery administered by the Horseheads Central School District in New York is presented. Variable numbers of students at each of six elementary schools were administered the VKT. At the end of the kindergarten year, all…

Written by an ex-Latin teacher, short-cuts to analyzing test results for the non-mathematical teacher are provided. Discussions are given of item analysis (item analysis by a show of hands, standards for test items: success, standards for test items: discrimination, and the second stage of item analysis. The standard error is then presented (the…

Kohlberg's Moral Judgment Scale, Gilligan, et al.'s Sexual Moral Judgment Scale, Maitland and Goldman's Objective Moral Judgment Scale, and Hogan's Maturity of Moral Judgment Scale were examined for reliability and inter-scale relationships. All measures except the Objective Moral Judgment Scale had good reliabilities. The obtained relations…

Using the concepts of conditional probability, conditional expectation, and conditional independence, the main results of the classical test theory model can be derived in a very few steps with minimal assumptions. The present effort explores the possibility that present classical test theories can be further condensed. (Author/RC)

Three multiple-abilities batteries--the Comprehensive Ability Battery, Differential Aptitude Tests, and General Aptitude Test Battery--are briefly discussed, and results of a study involving cross-correlations of the tests in these batteries are presented. (Author/JKS)

A consistent picture regarding the reliability of the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities cannot be obtained from current literature. A clear understanding of the stability of the MSCA would be particularly useful in establishing and planning academic programs and this research attempts to provide such an estimate of reliability. (Author/RK)

A three subscale inventory designed by Fenigstein, Scheier, and Buss to measure self-consciousness was administered to 297 college students. Fenigstein et al.'s representation was found to fit the data in its original form. Items on the subscales differ nearly as much statistically as they do substantively. (Author/LMO)

Investigated the relaionships among the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test Revised (PPVT-R) alternate forms and the relationship of each PPVT-R form with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R). All correlations with both forms of the PPVT-R were significant. PPVT-R mean scores did underestimate significantly all WAIS-R mean scores.…

The construct validity of a 17-item exploratory academic self-concept subscale derived from the Piers-Harris Chidlren's Self-Concept Scale was investigated. Its empirical factor structure and its correlation with two other academic self-concept instruments were analyzed. Research use only is recommended pending rewriting of this exploratory…

The Learning Style Inventory assesses learners' preferences. This study was designed to determine reliability and construct validity of Kolb's original ipsative instrument and an alternate normative form. The alternate version was found as reliable as the original, was equivalent in measuring characteristics, and demonstrated comparable construct…

The reliability of simple difference scores is greater than, less than, or equal to that of residualized difference scores, depending on whether the correlation between pretest and posttest scores is greater than, less than, or equal to the ratio of the standard deviations of pretest and posttest scores. (Author)