An index measuring the degree to which a binary response pattern conforms to some baseline pattern was defined and named the Pattern Conformity Index (PCI). One way of conceptualizing what the PCI measures is the extent to which each individual's particular response pattern contributes to, or detracts from, the overall consistency found in the…

For use by those preparing statewide competency testing programs and those developing basic skills examinations at the postsecondary level, this paper provides guidelines for writing items for tests of basic reading skills. Following a discussion of how to choose appropriate items, how to word items, and how to select appropriate reading passages,…

This study completed the initial stages in the development of the Johnson In-Law Attitude Scale, which is an instrument designed to measure attitudes toward one's family of in-laws, both before and during the marriage, and relationships with parents. A thorough review of literature relative to in-laws is included. The study revealed that the…

Two approaches to criterion-referenced measurement are described and contrasted--domain-referenced testing and mastery testing. This paper is organized according to ten issues or stages in test construction: (1) content domain specification; (2) item construction; (3) item domain specification; (4) item analysis; (5) item selection; (6) parallel…

The subject of constructing criterion-referenced tests is often researched, but many technical problems remain to be satisfactorily resolved. Foremost, criterion-referenced test developers need a comprehensive set of steps for construction. In this paper, 14 logical steps for building criterion-referenced tests that refer to several different…

ALL TERMS IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN ENGLISH WHICH PERTAIN TO ASPECTS OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR OR PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS WERE ASSEMBLED FROM AVAILABLE LEXICONS. THESE TERMS WERE CATEGORIZED INTO 15 RUBRICS ON THE BASIS OF JUDGMENTS OF THEIR FAMILIARITY, SPECIFICITY, AND CERTAIN BROAD SEMANTIC CRITERIA. SOME 2,800 TERMS WERE IDENTIFIED WHICH SEEMINGLY…

STATISTICAL MODELS WERE USED TO STUDY THE NATURE OF HIGH SCHOOL "FAILURES". THE STUDY (1) COMPARED THE DEGREE TO WHICH FAILURE COULD BE PREDICTED BY MULTIVARIABLE AND CONFIGURAL MODELS AND (2) CONSTRUCTED SCALES BY MEANS OF TRADITIONAL PSYCHOMETRIC ITEM ANALYSIS AND CROSS-VALIDATION AND BY MEANS OF STRUCTURAL ITEM ANALYSIS. THE SAMPLE…

This annotated bibliography lists resources pertaining to the construction and the development of a basketball skill test as a reflection of basketball playing ability. (CJ)

Described are the development and field testing of the Revised 1977 Behavior Checklist, one component of a multidisciplinary batter to assess social and emotional dysfunction in populations of 4- and 5-year-old children entering kindergarten. The total screening battery is outlined and development of the 1976 Pilot Version of the Behavior…

This document contains a number of processes and criteria levels with which the progressive test writer should be familiar in order to measure more than cognitive success. These processes allow test writers to examine existing paper and pencil examinations in order to sound out implications for performance testing. Hands-on performance testing is…

In planning the development of the system for computer assisted assembly of tests, it was agreed at the outset that one of the basic requirements for the successful initiation of any such system would be the development of a detailed item content classification system. The design of the system for classifying item content is a key element in…

Questionnaires are prepared by many people who have not had specialized training and experience in survey techniques. This booklet was prepared to assist such nonspecialists in the preparation of efficient and useful questionnaires by providing a brief, readable guide for the development of questions for management decisions. This discussion is…

Developing a student testing mathematical model for instructional management purposes necessitates clear structuring of the curriculum materials involved, whether designated in the domain of content or the dimension of concepts or skills. Such structuring of a course written in performance objectives is presented and noted to be helpful in making…

Guidelines are given for the preparation of test items and tests for BSCS (Biological Sciences Curriculum Study) biology, including examples of items testing four major kinds of abilities: ability to repeat or use information and meanings, ability to apply principles, ability to apply intellectual skills crucial to the understanding of biological…

Certain modifications of a conventional test are proposed which force the item difficulty level to adjust automatically to the ability level of the examinee. The modified test is called a flexilevel test. Although different examinees take different sets of items, the scoring method provides comparable scores for all. Furthermore, the test is…