Hierarchical cluster analysis is shown to be an effective method for forming scales from sets of items. Comparisons with factor analytic techniques suggest that hierarchical analysis is superior in some respects for scale construction. (Author/JKS)

Secondary analysis of data originally collected to determine attitudes and behavior in dental health assesses the differences in amount of health knowledge possessed by Anglos and Chicanos in the El Paso, Texas, area. (JMF)

Indices of item difficulty and item discrimination were analyzed for the items comprising the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised as obtained from a group of 142 subjects with Full Scale IQs below 96. Evidence indicates increase in the number of items on the WISC-R helped increase its internal validity. (Author)

Results of assigning Holland codes to items seems reasonable, and the codes may be used in future item pool revisions to balance item content, to eliminate poorly defined items, and to select items that are perceived identically by females and males. (Author)

This study compares the ability of 2 item-selection methodologies, principal components analysis and intervention item selection rules, to capture client changes on a 56-item self-report checklist. Scales formed with the intervention-sensitive items evidence larger effect sizes and reliability estimates. (Contains 26 references and 3 tables.)…

Describes the methodology of an adaptation and validation of measurement instruments dealing with stress and problem-solving ability in student teachers, including the psychometric characteristics of the indicators. (EV)

Knowledge of Memory Aging Questionnaire with a "don't know" response added was administered to 202 undergraduates (half using the new format), 44 undergraduates (with instruction on memory and aging), and 49 older and 41 younger adults. The new format resulted in more correct answers. Instruction resulted in fewer "don't know" responses. Younger…

Presents an empirical examination of the effectiveness of free response items in comparison with multiple choice items. Uses Item Response Theory (IRT) framework and shows that free response items were appropriate for students with high science ability. Reports that free response items estimated students' science ability more accurately than…

Describes Florida's efforts at instituting statewide item banking and testing program in vocational education. Discusses rationale for statewide testing program and item banking procedure as well as development and coding of items, dissemination of item bank to school districts, and development of statewide test. Outlines problems encountered,…

The consequences of using item response theory (IRT) item bias detecting procedures with multidimensional IRT item data are examined. Limitations in procedures for detecting item bias are discussed. (SLD)

Describes the development of a scale to measure environmental attitudes of grade school children. The scale items reflect children's knowledge of environmental issues, and the scale uses an age-appropriate format. The scale's 25 items were selected through item analysis from a larger pool of items. Discusses potential use for research and…

A graphical-decision rule for studying an item's behavior and admitting items onto a test form is proposed. The tool--the isthmus of acceptance--ameliorates some parameter stability problems common to binary item response theory models by using a functional representation of item performance, and it is tuned to match current standards. (TJH)

Evaluates the equivalence of translated achievement tests administered to 4,400 English- and French-speaking sixth-graders. Items displaying differential item functioning were flagged using three statistical methods; results were relatively consistent across methods, but not identical. Substantive review of French items via back-translation to…

The present study investigated the factor structure and item analysis of the Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (MiniAQLQ) in a sample of 258 community-dwelling asthmatic adults between the ages of 16 and 87 years. The mean age was 56 years for males (N = 99) and 50 years for females (N = 159). This study compared the fit of three factor…

A number of recent articles have claimed strong relationships--i.e., very high "proportions of shared variance"--between pairs of teaching and learning questionnaires. These claims have been the subject of debate and it has emerged that the proportion of shared variance is defined as the complement of Wilks' lambda. The present article argues that…