Four statistics are proposed for the detection of local dependence (LD) among items analyzed using item response theory. Simulation results show that, under the locally dependent condition, the X-squared and G-squared indexes appear to be sensitive in detecting LD or multidimensionality among items. (SLD)

Discusses substantive scale construction and the need for Rasch measurement practitioners to give careful consideration to designing variables based on theory, item construction, and models for the analysis of data. (SLD)

Any item response theory (IRT) researcher or practitioner will find something of interest in this book, which covers a broad range of topics in essays by well-known researchers. Chapters are organized into sections devoted to parametric and nonparametric IRT topics. (SLD)

Studied the Work Satisfaction subscale of the Job Descriptive Index (JDI) to determine the difference between measuring work stress and measuring work satisfaction. Results from samples of 1,623 and 314 adults provide evidence supporting the removal of some contaminating items from the JDI. (SLD)

Uses a framework previously developed to relate outcomes based education and B. Bloom's "Taxonomy of Educational Objectives" to consider ways in which modern test theory can be used to connect aspects of assessment to the curriculum framework and to consider insights this connection might provide. (SLD)

The process used by the National Association of Industrial Technology to develop a certification examination included a Delphi panel, validation of the prototype, and pretest with 311 examinees. Remaining issues in development of the test include item analysis. (Contains 19 references.) (SK)

Conducted a Rasch analysis of the psychometric qualities of the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP; G. Girolami and S. Campbell, 1994) for the purpose of reducing the length of the test while maintaining its precision as a measurement device. Using scores from 1,732 tests, the TIMP was reduced to 42 items to form a functional motor scale for…

Several classical approaches and alternative approaches to item selection for computerized adaptive testing (CAT) are reviewed and compared. The study also describes procedures for constrained CAT that may be added to classical item selection approaches to allow them to be used for applied testing. (TJH)

Explains the development of Florida's certification examination for prospective drama teachers. Describes its process design and the participation of drama educators from around the state as keys to the test's successful development. (SR)

Describes development of 472 true-false scientific literacy test items with high content and item validity that test 240 key ideas in, and attitudes toward, science. Items are based on selected chapters of the 1989 American Association for the Advancement of Science report, entitled Science for All Americans. Appendix contains sample items.…

Negative coefficients of reliability, sometimes returned by the standard formula for estimation of the internal-consistency reliability, are neither theoretically nor numerically correct. Alternative strategies for test development in this special case are suggested. (Author)

Describes author's experiences and roles in developing four career-oriented measures: translating the Ramak into English; development of the Career Decision Scale and Occupational Stress Inventory; and current development of the Task Specific Scale of Occupational Self-Efficacy. (Author/ABL)

The stability, reliability, and validity of scores on the subscales of the School Participant Empowerment Scale (P. Short and J. Rinehart, 1992) were studied with data from 4,091 Ohio classroom teachers. Confirmatory factor analysis did not confirm the subscales identified by the instrument developers. Explanatory factor analysis was used to…

Attitudes were assessed after 89 undergraduates were asked either five neutral questions, five questions on the economic welfare of older people, or five on elders' physical frailty. Economic questions resulted in significantly more negative views of the mental aspects of aging, suggesting that questionnaires may contain tacit sources of bias. (SK)

Examined whether reviewers on item-review committees can identify accurately test items that exhibit a variety of flaws. Results with 39 reviewers of a 75-item test show that reviewers exhibit fairly high accuracy rates overall, with statistically significant differences in judgmental accuracy among reviewers. (SLD)