Examines research showing the equivalence of paper-and-pencil-administered tests and computer-administered tests, especially when they are exactly the same test. Four categories of research are examined: previous reviews of research, standards and guidelines for computerized testing, individual research studies, and studies about computer testing…

Examined the effectiveness of the Sympson-Hetter technique and rotated content balancing relative to no exposure control and no content rotation conditions in a computerized adaptive testing system based on the partial credit model. Simulation results show the Sympson-Hetter technique can be used with minimal impact on measurement precision,…

Investigated the acceptance of computerized assessment, particularly compared to conventional paper-and-pencil techniques, in seriously impaired psychiatric inpatients. Describes the development of a self-rating questionnaire (OPQ, Operation and Preference Questionnaire) and reports results that showed computerized assessment was convincingly…

Used a simulation to investigate the applicability to computerized adaptive test data of a differential item functioning (DIF) analysis method. Results show the performance of this empirical Bayes enhancement of the Mantel Haenszel DIF analysis method to be quite promising. (SLD)

Presents overview of Item Response Theory (IRT). Explores substantial advantages of IRT in both ability and attitude measurements. Describes and illustrates basic IRT models. Discusses instrument construction and computerized testing. (Author/BHK)

Two methods for estimating the reliability of a computerized adaptive test (CAT) without using item response theory are presented. The data consist of CAT and paper-and-pencil scores from identical or equivalent samples, and scores for all examinees on one or more covariates, using the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. (TJH)

Describes recordkeeping for the National Spanish Examinations by the Metropolitan New York Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP). The layout of census and attendance forms is described, and the use of a word processing or database program to help organize and utilize information obtained from those forms…

Alternate versions of the Western Personnel Test were administered via computer and in the standard paper and pencil format to two groups of adults (N=50). Results suggest that the two forms of administration yield comparable results, and that separate norms for the computer-administered version are not necessary. (TJH)

Administered Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (PPVT-R) to 112 elementary school students in computer-automated and standard formats to investigate comparability of test results. Correlations found between standard and modified versions were positive, substantial, and acceptable for clinical use. Considers usefulness of adapted psychological…

Explored construct validity of computer-assisted battery of neuropsychological tests with 82 psychiatric inpatients and 89 normal volunteers. Principal components analysis of inpatients scores revealed simple reaction time, response accuracy, visuomotor skill, and complex processing and memory components. Found similar factorial structure in…

Administered 12 psychological and 7 neurobehavioral performance tests twice to nonclinical normative samples of 30 adults (computer format only) and 30 adults (computer and conventional administration) with one week between administrations. Results suggest that individual test-retest reliability is not affected when tests are administered as part…

Investigated the effectiveness of H. Wainer's (1993) strategy for obtaining positively biased ability estimates when examinees can review and change answers on computerized adaptive tests. Results, based on simulation and testing data from 87 college students, show that the Wainer strategy sometimes yields inflated ability estimates and sometimes…

Discusses the factors affecting the decision to use computerized adaptive testing in a nursing certification examination. (SLD)

Studied the effects of answer review on results of a computerized adaptive test, the laboratory professional examination of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. Results from 29,293 candidates show that candidates who changed answers were more likely to improve their scores. (SLD)

Explored, using simulations, the use of disclosed items on continuous testing conditions under a worse-case scenario that assumes that disclosed items are always answered correctly. Some item pool and test designs were identified in which the use of disclosed items produces effects on test scores that may be viewed as negligible. (Author/MAK)