Principals and teachers do not use large-scale assessment results because the lack of distinct and reliable subtests prevents identifying strengths and weaknesses of students and instruction, the results arrive too late to be used, and principals and teachers need assistance to use the results to improve instruction so as to improve student…

This study investigated the reliability and validity of the Multidimensional Scale of Life Skills in Late Childhood, an instrument designed to measure a concept similar to "zest for living" in late childhood. A total of 1,888 elementary school students in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades residing in urban and suburban areas as well as in…

This study investigated the application of multidimensional item response theory (IRT) models to validate test structure and dimensionality. Multiple content areas or domains within a single subject often exist in large-scale achievement tests. Such areas or domains may cause multidimensionality or local item dependence, which both violate the…

Despite the limitations of overgeneralizing cutoff values for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; e.g., Marsh, Hau, & Wen, 2004), they are still often employed as golden rules for assessing factorial validity in sport and exercise psychology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the appropriateness of using the CFA approach with these…

The purpose of this study was to identify and validate items applicable to evaluating online courses at the postsecondary level. Items were derived from a review of the literature. Four judges rated the similarity of the items by making pair-wise comparisons utilizing multidimensional scaling (MDS). The study consisted of five stages. Stage I…

A multidimensional scaling technique was used to assess the content and construct validity of a behavioral rating scale constructed to measure appropriate and inappropriate classroom behavior. The authors argue for the validity of the scale and the use of multidimensional scaling in resolving validity problems in behavior analysis. (Author/JKS)

Tested the California Psychological Inventory Socialization scale's dimensionality on three groups of male and female, criminal or noncriminal subjects. The fit of a one-factor model for all three groups was tested in a simultaneous factor analysis for several populations, and good fit was obtained. (Author)

Conducted exploratory field study to examine how age-concepts are experienced and to assess relationship of age identities to each other. Proposes Cognitive Age as a new multidimensional age scale that merges the standard scale, Identity Age, and Personal Age. Study results attest to Cognitive Age scale's reliability and validity. (Author/NB)

This paper presents a method which can be used to obtain evidence that the concepts rated on semantic differential scales are appropriate for given study. An analysis of six semantic differential concepts, as perceived by 168 graduate education students, is presented; variations of the method are discussed. (Author/GSK)

Applied multidimensional scaling to similarity data to produce a model of Attachment Q-Set (AQS) items as points in a 3-dimensional space. Represented criterion sorts, individual Q-sorts, and empirical correlates as vectors, interpreting each according to the vector's contributions from the three global dimensions. Tested the model's validity and…

Describes the development of an anger inventory for adolescent males. Used research which conceptualizes anger as a multidimensional construct and collected data from 202 males from three different schools. Discusses scale development and identifies four factors that accounted for 43.3% of the common variance. Concludes that the 31-item scale has…

The factor structure of the Adult Norwicki-Strickland I-E Scale, sampling 174 college students, indicated differential factor dimensionality for males and females. The findings also support the contention that I-E is multidimensional in nature; however, these dimensions reflecting factorial validity have not been found to be consistently reliable…

The multidimensionality of self-concept and the use of factor analysis in the development of self-concept instruments are supported in multitrait-multimethod analyses of the Sears and Coopersmith instruments. Convergent validity and discriminate validity of subscales in factor analysis and multitrait-multimethod analysis of longitudinal data are…

Attempts are made to improve the previously used procedure for multidimensional scaling in the measure of conceptual level. Monte Carlo simulation runs and a laboratory experiment highlight potential incongruities related to the degree of error in the input data required by that process. Methodological recommendations are briefly evaluated.…

Presents a multidimensional conception of fear of death and provides subscales for measuring suggested dimensions (fear of the dying process, of the dead, of being destroyed, for significant others, of the unknown, of conscious death, for body after death, and of premature death). Evidence for construct validity is provided. (Author/BEF)