Kelly's formula estimates sampling variance of correlation corrected for attenuation by using split-half reliabilities. In some cases, coefficient alpha estimate of reliability is preferable. A simulation study suggests a variation of Kelly's formula can be used appropriately with coefficient alpha. Kelly's formula is modified to accept…

Analyzes press coverage of the 1979 British general election to determine if reporting concentrated on the "dramatic contest" aspects of the campaign or on issues. Concludes that while coverage of the "dramatic contest" aspects of the election increased as the campaign went on coverage of the issues remained the major focus.…

Monte Carlo methods are used to explore the accuracy of a method for establishing confidence intervals for variance component estimates in generalizability studies. Previous research has shown that variance component estimation errors due to sampling are often larger than suspected. (Author/CM)

Takes issue with E. Fry's widely accepted claim that the average readability of a book is ascertainable on the basis of only three samples; reports that numerous samples were needed to estimate readability means of 36 basal workbooks. (MKM)

Innacurate sample data and uncertain estimates are defined as obstacles to assessing the suicide rate among college students. A standardization of research and reporting services is recommended. (JMF)

Discusses the inadequacy of three basic assumptions that school systems make in early identification of learning disabilities that (1) learning disabilities is a category relatively easy to define, (2) such identification can be done easily by trained professionals and paraprofessionals, and (3) prevention, in the form of intervention, naturally…

The results of a test of reliability for skinfold fat and circumference measures (used as field methods for the measurement of body composition) are reported. (DS)

Some statistical considerations in applying survey sampling methods to small populations are explored. (DS)

Conventional paper-and-pencil testing was compared to computer-assisted testing on a pharmacy school pathology test. Individual items were speeded in the computer-assisted mode. In addition to responses, the number and pattern of changes in responses were analyzed. True-false, multiple-choice and matching items were used. (JKS)

Evidence is gathered on the generalizability of measures of teacher behavior to help resolve the issue of whether the absence of clear, replicable relationships between teacher behavior and student outcomes was due to measurement problems or problems in conceptualization. Generalizability theory seemed particularly well suited but problems in…

The FEM Scale, a Likert-type measure of attitudes toward feminism, was validated via data from a heterogeneous sample which indicated the FEM Scale is highly reliable, contains a single factor accounting for 38 percent total variance, and correlates with measures of anti-black prejudice, dogmatism, and indentification with the Women's Movement.…

One reason the fear of success (FOS) literature is confusing and contradictory is because the FOS construct is not being reliably measured across studies. Current scoring guidelines are insufficient for ensuring the reliable measurement of this construct. (RC)

H. H. Chang and W. F. Stout (1993) presented a derivation of the asymptotic posterior normality of the latent trait given examinee responses under nonrestrictive nonparametric assumptions for dichotomous item response (IRT) theory models. This paper presents an extension of their results to polytomous IRT models and defines a global information…

This study examined intrajudge and interjudge agreement for the Lidcombe Behavioral Data Language (LBDL), a behaviorally based stuttering taxonomy. Ten experienced speech language pathologists and 10 undergraduates applied the LBDL to stuttered speech on two occasions. Intrajudge agreement was high for both groups, but only the experienced judges…

Considers the situation in which content or administrative considerations limit the way in which a test can be partitioned to estimate the internal consistency reliability of the total test score. Demonstrates that a single-valued estimate of the total score reliability is possible only if an assumption is made about the comparative size of the…