Research has found that the "a"-stratified item selection strategy (STR) for computerized adaptive tests (CATs) may lead to insufficient use of high a items at later stages of the tests and thus to reduced measurement precision. A refined approach, unequal item selection across strata (USTR), effectively improves test precision over the…

Presents dialog among David Lester, author of first critical survey of death anxiety measures, developer of scales, and researcher about suicide and fear of death; Donald Templer, Death Anxiety Scale (DAS) creator; and journal editor. Lester and Templer discuss origins, uses, results, limitations, and future of death anxiety scales and research on…

Examines some issues raised in Gavin and Wamboldt's (1992) recent study on Family-of-Origin Scale (FOS). Discusses unresolved concerns regarding validity and utility of FOS and unsubstantiated and potentially misleading claims made by Gavin and Wamboldt. Makes case for conceptual and methodological precision in study of family phenomena.…

Reviews problems and issues in early childhood evaluation, and discusses advantages and disadvantages associated with using classroom observations. The "Bronson Social and Task Skill Profile" is described, and its usefulness is discussed by reviewing the way it has been used in several research studies. (HTH)

Assessed degree of relationship between superficial and deep psychological adjustment among elderly individuals (n=86). Found only moderate correlation between shallow and deep psychological adjustment as measured by Cantril's Self-Anchoring Scale for life satisfaction (shallow) and Eriksonian-based Measures of Psychosocial Development (deep).…

Five of the common misuses of tests are reviewed: (1) acceptance of the test title as an accurate and complete description of the variable being measured (failure to examine the manual and the items carefully to know the specific aspects to be tested can result in misuse through selection of an inappropriate test for a particular purpose or…

The current study examines the views of experts in the science of mental abilities about the primacy and uniqueness of "g" and the social implications of ability testing, and compares their responses to the views of a group of non-expert psychologists. Results indicate expert consensus that "g" is an important, non-trivial determinant (or at least…

It has been proposed that the federal government's General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB) might be used to provide private employers with the same kind of useful information the federal government and college counselors receive about job applicants. The U.S. Department of Labor asked the National Research Council (NRC) to review the issues related…

Describes and discusses the biases inherent in human judgment and the difficulty of assessing the many facets of reading. Maintains that educators should be more tentative in the decisions they make based on assessment. (SR)

Considers problems with use of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Presents brief history of MBTI and brief theory of type. Examines MBTI's statistical structure, reliability, and validity. Concludes that MBTI does not conform to many basic standards expected of psychological tests. (NB)

Summarizes educators' and researchers' concerns regarding the use and misuse of standardized reading tests. Suggests a different model for reading assessment. (RS)

This document consists of the four issues of the "IACD Quarterly" published in 1992. Articles in this volume include: (1) "A Multicultural Approach to Assertiveness Training" (Wilma Henry and Mary Ann Jones); (2) "Life-Skills: Research and Application" (Michael Illovsky); (3) "'A Model for Grief Counseling:…

Clearly stated educational objectives can help in educational evaluation. Because objectives sans assessment are little more than rhetoric, criterion-referenced tests are advocated for assessing objective-attainment. Performance standards are viewed as appropriately separable from objectives. Five guidelines regarding objectives are suggested for…

Reviews risk assessment procedures and instruments used by child protection agencies. Discusses methodological deficiencies that limit the utility of instruments in predicting abusive behavior. Offers suggestions regarding the use of risk assessment in various decisions made during the course of child protection investigations. (BG)

Contains a summary of the measurement strategies developed and used by the Technical Analysis Group on behalf of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Also describes some remaining measurement dilemmas in the context of the National Board's assessments and suggests some areas for further research. (SLD)