Developed a university version of the Charles F. Kettering Climate Scale focusing on psychological dimensions of the educational climate. A second-order analysis of results from 707 students shows areas of generalization across the primary components. (SLD)

Surveys are a commonly-used tool for measuring satisfaction with staff-development workshops. The four main sources of error and bias in most surveys are sampling slips, non-response nonsense, time-slice traps, and questionable questions. The paper discusses several typical survey problems and presents tips for making surveys into effective tools.…

Studied the componential structure of synonym tasks using confirmatory multidimensional two-parameter item-response theory models. Reanalysis of data from 218 and 258 Dutch secondary school students from a previous study (R. Janssen and P. De Boeck, 1997) supports the componential hypothesis. Discusses issues related to one of the subtasks…

Reviews developments in nonparametric item-response theory (NIRT), from its historic origins in item-response theory (IRT) and scale analysis to new theoretical results for practical test construction. Discusses theoretical results from NIRT often relevant to IRT. Contains 134 references. (SLD)

Focuses on the potential contributions of optimal test-design models to practical test-assembly issues that result from limitations in the models or the technology required for their implementation and limitations inherent in the test-assembly process. Outlines research needed to make implementation of these techniques routine in test assembly.…

Describes an integrated approach to test development and administration called computer-adaptive sequential testing (CAST). CAST incorporates adaptive testing methods with automated test assembly. Describes the CAST framework and demonstrates several applications using a medical-licensure example. (SLD)

Proposes two new methods for item-exposure control, the Progressive method and the Restricted Maximum Information method. Compares both methods with six other item-selection methods. Discusses advantages of the two new methods and the usefulness of combining them. (SLD)

This book provides a historical overview of item-response theory (IRT) and contains a compendium of item-response-theory research. Each of its six sections deals with a unique application of a model or a family of models. Requires a strong psychometric background to understand some of the discussions. (SLD)

Finds that when undergraduate student interactants had prior information about each other, state-receiver apprehension was positively related to uncertainty and both were negatively related to information-seeking and confirmation of relational predictions. Suggests that state-receiver apprehension may possibly lead to uncertainty. Develops a…

Developed an instrument to measure empowering leader behavior (study 1, n=1,309) and studied the relationship of the instrument to several theoretically relevant variables (study 2, n=84). Confirmatory factor analyses support a six-dimension model of empowering leader behavior. Psychological empowerment mediated the relationship between six…

Describes the development and validation of the Africultural Coping Systems Inventory, a measure of culture-specific coping strategies used by African Americans in stressful situations that is grounded in African-centered concepts. Data from African American adults indicated that a four-factor model best represented the group's culture-specific…

A test of the Scale of Perceived Social Self-Efficacy with 354 undergraduates supported the instrument's internal consistency and construct and discriminant validity. Social self-efficacy was strongly related to social and enterprising confidence and to shyness, all of which influence career development. (SK)

Presents the rationale for and initial findings concerning the development of the Parental Comparison Level Index (PCLI). Explains that the PCLI--based on interpersonal processes--focuses on the role that expectations and comparative processes play in relationships. Data collected on 439 parents offer strong support for two highly reliable…

Five eating reinforcement expectancies and one dieting--thinness reinforcement expectancy were identified and their factor structure replicated on an independent sample of 557 women. Expectancies for negative reinforcement from eating characterized bulimia but not anorexia and were correlated with indexes of restraint plus disinhibition in a…

This brief history traces the development of item response theory (IRT) from concepts originating in 19th-century mathematics and psychology to present-day principles drawn from statistical estimation theory. Connections to other fields and current trends in IRT are outlined. (SLD)