Despite the existence of little empirical evidence for their effectiveness, many techniques have been suggested for writing multiple-choice items. The option "none of the above" (NA) has been widely used although a recent review of empirical studies of NA suggests that, while generally decreasing the difficulty index, NA also decreases…

The basic processes in univariate statistics involve partitioning the sum of squares into two components: explained and within. This paper explains that the same partitioning occurs in measurement analyses, i.e., splitting the sum of squares into reliable and unreliable components. In addition, it is shown how the three types of error inherent in…

This paper reviews and critically evaluates the psychometric properties of Kolb's Learning Style Inventory (LSI). The LSI was developed originally in the 1970s (Kolb, 1976a) and was revised in the 1980s (Kolb, 1985). Although the LSI has been very popular, extensive evidence available in the published literature indicates that both the original…

For people-helping professionals, the concept of burnout describes the physical and emotional exhaustion they feel on the job. A cognitive-behavioral model defines burnout as a state in which individuals expect few rewards and considerable punishment from work, due to lack of valued reinforcement, controllable outcomes, or personal competence.…

Classical test theory findings can be derived from the concepts of conditional expectation, conditional independence, and related notions. It is shown that these concepts provide precisely the formalism needed to obtain the classical results with minimal assumptions and with greatest economy in the methods of proof. (RC)

An alternative to the conventional right-wrong scoring method used on multiple-choice tests was presented. In the experiment, the examinee continued to respond to a multiple-choice item until feedback signified a correct answer. Findings showed that experimental scores were more reliable but less valid than inferred conventional scores.…

Results support the contention that a Guttman-weighted objective test can have psychometric properties that are superior to those of its unweighted counterpart, as long as omissions do not exist or are assigned a value equal to the mean of the k item alternative weights. (Author/BJG)

Author attempted to prove that one can get useful and reliable information about standards in school mathematics. (Author/RK)

The intention of the study was to show that reliance on performance on New York Survey (mathematics) and National Educational Development Tests for the purpose of identifying individuals for guidance in mathematics might exclude creatively gifted children. (Author)

When comparing two tests that measure the same trait, separate comparisons should be made at different levels of the trait. A simple, practical, approximate formula is given for doing this. The adequacy of the approximation is illustrated using data comparing seven nationally known sixth-grade reading tests. (Author/RC)

The consistency by which shared abilities are assessed on three intelligence tests was investigated. Instruments under consideration include: the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised, the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, and the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition. A list of shared abilities and the subtests…

An approximation formula for the standard error of measurement was recently proposed by Garvin. The properties of this approximation to the standard error of measurement are described in this paper and illustrated with hypothetical data. It is concluded that the approximation is a systematic overestimate of the standard error of measurement…

The paper reviews studies (1966-1985) of the intellectual abilities of culturally diverse 4-5 year olds in a discussion of the identification of giftedness in culturally diverse populations. Studies are cited which involved Mexican American, Black, Native American, French Canadian, and Belgian students. The following six topics are addressed: (1)…

Using the personality trait versus state distinction as a substantive context, the fit of the factor analytic model to difference score data is investigated and found to be quite good. Methodological issues related to properties of difference scores and their implications for personality research are briefly discussed. (Author)