The purpose of the investigation was to determine the construct validity of a standardized achievement test. The test, administered to over 5800 subjects, is one examination in a diploma program for students pursuing the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation. Results of factor and multiple discriminant analysis indicated the presence of…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the practicality of multiple discriminant function analysis for deriving item response weights. Item responses on a job satisfaction questionnaire administered to 219 professional workers and 242 semi-skilled customer workers were analyzed. Discriminant functional analysis was conducted on the total…

A work sample criterion test was developed for General Vehicle Repairman, MOS 63C30 and 63C40. Test items covered three task categories: troubleshooting, corrective action, and preventive maintenance. Thirty-eight organizational mechanics were tested at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Data were also collected on the quality of performance, for example, use…

Arguments which suggest that improved prediction of multiple criteria can be achieved employing pattern scoring of responses, as opposed to conventional methods, are examined. Models for improving prediction of single and multiple criteria were examined. The findings are: (1) simple linear combinations of predictor variables perform as well…

The development of a series of parallel single-topic tests for testing attainment of 14 objectives concerned with inquiry skill in biology is discussed. The series of eight two-part tests are called "Explorations in Biology" (EIB). (CK)

The model described in this paper for the teaching of beginning shorthand through the use of computer-assisted instruction attempted to prevent incorrect responses from occurring during the acquisition of correct responses to beginning shorthand symbols. (Author)

Grounded in a review of existing theories and research on problem solving, the theoretical base and new instrument development efforts discussed in this publication have been sounded against the needs of an innovative, interdisciplinary curriculum project called Unified Science and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES). It is the work on new…

This article suggests criteria for evaluating listening comprehension tests. The weaknesses of typical test items are discussed and suggestions for new types of items are given. (CFM)

A cubic spline method for smoothing equipercentile equating relationships under the common item nonequivalent populations design is described. Statistical techniques based on bootstrap estimation are presented for choosing an equating method/degree of smoothing. Smoothing decreases the estimate of random error but results in an increase in…

A visual analogue mood scale was developed that included an option indicating subjects didn't understand the meaning of an adjective in an item. The item content significantly affected responses, raising questions about the adequacy of recently proposed affective taxonomies that were based on restricted samples of emotion-descriptive adjectives.…

Eight ambiguous items in the 16-item Inconditionality of Regard Scale of the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory were rewritten to see if the relationship of that scale to others in the inventory would change. The hypothesis that the relationships would change was upheld. (The eight original and eight modified items are included). (JKS)

Presents the results of an investigation to determine if the position of a distractor in a multiple choice question influences the degree of difficulty of an item. The data support the hypothesis that the placement of the distractor immediately before the key alters the difficulty of the item significantly. (Authors/SA)

With bootstrap methodology, the stability of the Angoff delta item bias index was investigated. Data from item responses of 400 Black and 400 White fifth-grade students taking the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills indicated that the Angoff delta statistic had only moderate stability. (SLD)

Investigated the relationships of figural response items and open-ended verbal items in biology to figural and verbal mental aptitudes (n=24). Performance on the verbal items was positively related to verbal ability. Figural response scores were related positively to both figural and verbal abilities. (PR)

Examines the effectiveness of an automated language proficiency test assembly system at an air force base English Language Center. The study focuses on the equivalence of mean score difficulty, total score variance, and intercorrelation covariance across test norms and finds a high level of test-form equivalence and internal consistency. (nine…