Ten psychometric criteria (such as item analysis, concurrent validity, and interexaminer reliability) were used to compare four preschool screening tests: "Comprehensive Identification Process", "Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning--Revised" (Dial--R), "Denver Developmental Screening Test", and…

Three methods of estimating point-biserial correlation coefficient standard errors were compared: (1) assuming normality; (2) not assuming normality; and (3) bootstrapping. Although errors estimated assuming normality were biased, such estimates were less variable and easier to compute, suggesting that this might be the method of choice in some…

The standardization method for assessing unexpected differential item performance or differential item functioning is introduced. Findings of five studies are summarized, in which the statistical method of standardization is used to look for unexpected differences in item performance across different subpopulations of the Scholastic Aptitude Test.…

Uses principles of latent trait theory to derive conditions under which mean differences between groups on an observed variable are in fact indicative of mean differences on an underlying construct. Pays particular attention to the logistic curve as a model for describing the relation between the observed variable and the construct. (Author/CB)

Reevaluated findings for subtle items in the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory D Scale in 214 subjects based on the distinction between item subtlety and face validity. Results indicated that the inclusion of nonpathological items in the D scale did not lead to greater predictive validity of depression criteria. (LLL)

Alternate forms of the state anxiety (A-State) and trait anxiety (A-Trait) scales of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were constructed by dividing the 20 items of each scale into two briefer forms having 10 items each. The alternate forms and item statistics are presented. (Author/BW)

Study asks whether laboratory findings, that isolation of an item facilitates its recall, extend to formal educational settings. (Authors)

The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument for measuring the experimental attitude of fourth to sixth graders, specifically in terms of John Dewey's philosophy of experimentalism. (CK)

"The usefulness of a structural analysis of pretest items in designing an instructional system is illustrated by the application of this technique to 100 addition computation problems. (Author)