A model designed to account for major factors on personality questionnaires is proposed and evaluated using the Differential Personality Inventory. Two respondent processes are postulated: sensitivity to the underlying desirability of items, and threshold for responding desirably. (Author/JKS)

A properly chosen test model defines the kind of dependence of the observable behavior on underlying abilities of the persons tested in the form of a data-adequate theory. The limitations and potential of several test models are detailed; and they are critically compared as an aspect of empirical evaluation. (Author/MV)

Statements made in a previous article of this journal concerning the Rasch latent trait test model are questioned. Methods of estimation, necessary sample sizes, several formuli, and the general usefulness of the Rasch model are discussed. (JKS)

The verbal analogy item as a measure of intelligence is investigated. Using latent partition analysis, this study attempts to identify a semantic structure of relationships that individuals use to comprehend completed analogies. The implications for test construction and test validity are discussed. (Author/JKS)

The reading comprehension items for a revision of the Nelson Reading Skills Test were administered to several hundred fourth and sixth-grade pupils in order to determine the passage dependency of each item. The passage dependency index was used to locate weak items. (Author/JKS)

Factor analysis of an administration of the Raven Progressive Matrices Test to children in grades 1, 2, and 3 revealed three orthogonal factors interpreted as (1) concrete and abstract reasoning, (2) continuous and discrete pattern completion, and (3) pattern completion through disclosure. Results are discussed in several contexts. (RC)

Students rated the quality of the items on a classroom test taken previously and psychometric items were calculated. Results showed that student ratings were related to item difficulty and that better students rated items as less ambiguous. Ambiguity ratings were more highly related to the item-test correlations for better students. (Author/LBH)

Content bias of the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA) was investigated with dominant English- and dominant Spanish-speaking Mexican American preschoolers. The identified item bias (mostly against the Spanish language group) is discussed in terms of information overload on memory as influenced by language differences in word length and…

The Fluharty Preschool Speech and Language Screening Test was examined in terms of construct validity. Analysis of test results for 260 children (ages three to six) found that results for internal consistency, discriminant analysis, and item difficulty analysis raised questions about the usefulness and appropriateness of many test items.…

Describes measurement problems associated with computer based testing (CBT) programs when they are part of a computer assisted instruction curriculum. Topics discussed include CBT standards; selection of item types; the contamination of items that arise from test design strategies; and the non-equivalence of comparison groups in item analyses. (8…

A mental multiplication test, containing items written in Dutch, Spanish, and Roman numerals was administered to 286 Dutch students. Further instruction was given in either Spanish or Roman, and a subtest combining languages was given. The iterative logit method was found to be useful in detecting biased test items. (GDC)

This study examined three statistical methods for selecting items for mastery tests: (1) pretest-posttest; (2) latent trait; and (3) agreement statistics. The correlation between the latent trait method and agreement statistics, proposed here as an alternative, was substantial. Results for the pretest-posttest method confirmed its reputed…

Presents methodology and results of a performance appraisal research project in a financial organization. Findings indicate that a major part of the success of performance appraisal in increasing productivity may lie in training managers in their use. An example of the specifics of what this training should cover is included. (MBR)

Describes a study that developed criteria for rationally selecting the words to delete in developing a cloze test. The study also tried to determine the extent to which performance on a cloze test with rational deletions differs from that on a cloze test developed by the fixed-ratio deletion procedure. (SED)

This paper presents an assessment instrument developed for use with both deaf-blind children and adults. Designed to assist in individual program planning and to measure progress, the 199 item inventory is organized in six major categories with 19 subsections. It has been field tested using 271 deaf-blind persons. (Author/BS)