N. S. Raju, W. J. van der Linden, and P. F. Fleer (in press) have proposed an item response theory-based, parametric procedure for the detection of differential item functioning (DIF)/differential test functioning (DTF) known as differential functioning of item and test (DFIT). DFIT can be used with dichotomous, polytomous, or multidimensional…

Numerous short forms of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory have been proposed in the last 15 years. In each case, the initial enthusiasm has been replaced by the questions about the clinical utility of the abbreviated version. Argues that the statistical properties of the test and reduced reliability due to shortening the scales…

The reliability of measures of need for achievement can be improved by increasing the number of items and by using different scoring systems and stimulus materials. (MLP)

The use of Cohen's kappa index as a measure of the reliability of multiple classifications is developed. Special cases of the index as well as the effects of test length on the index are also explored. (JKS)

Three formulae developed to correct item-total correlations for spuriousness were evaluated. Relationships among corrected, uncorrected, and item-remainder correlations were determined by computing sets of mean, minimum, and maximum deviation coefficients and Spearman rank correlations for nine test lengths. (Author/JKS)

The purpose of this paper is to highlight some psychometric cautions that should be observed when seeking to develop short form versions of tests. Several points are made: (1) score reliability is impacted directly by the characteristics of the sample and testing conditions; (2) sampling error has a direct influence on reliability and factor…

This paper presents a derivation of an average between-test overlap index as a function of the item exposure index, for fixed-length computerized adaptive tests (CAT). This relationship is used to investigate the simultaneous control of item exposure at both the item and test levels. Implications for practice as well as future research are also…

Study based on F. M. Lord's arguments in 1957 and 1959 that tests of the same length do have the same standard error of measurement. (CB)

Kelly's formula estimates sampling variance of correlation corrected for attenuation by using split-half reliabilities. In some cases, coefficient alpha estimate of reliability is preferable. A simulation study suggests a variation of Kelly's formula can be used appropriately with coefficient alpha. Kelly's formula is modified to accept…

The psychometric properties of a short version of the Profile of Mood States (POMS-SF) (37 items as opposed to 65) were studied with 600 patients and healthy adults. Results support the POMS-SF as an alternative to the original instrument when a brief measure is desired. (SLD)

Studied the factor structure of the Need for Cognition Scale (NFC) (J. Cohen, E. Scotland, and D. Wolfe, 1955) (short form) with samples of 510 and 697 Australian adults. Results support the use of the short version of the NFC with Australian samples. (SLD)

Item exposure control, test-overlap minimization, and the efficient use of item pool are some of the important issues in computerized adaptive testing (CAT) designs. The overexposure of some items and high test-overlap rate may cause both item and test security problems. Previously these problems associated with the maximum information (Max-I)…

Orlando and Thissen (2000, 2003) proposed an item-fit index, S-X[superscript 2], for dichotomous item response theory (IRT) models, which has performed better than traditional item-fit statistics such as Yen's (1981) Q[subscript 1] and McKinley and Mill's (1985) G[superscript 2]. This study extends the utility of S-X[superscript 2] to polytomous…

An index is proposed to detect cheating on multiple-choice examinations, and its use is evaluated through simulations. The proposed index is based on the compound binomial distribution. In total, 360 simulated data sets reflecting 12 different cheating (copying) situations were obtained and used for the study of the sensitivity of the index in…

A paradoxical phenomenon of decreases in reliability as the number of elements averaged over increases is shown to be possible in multifacet reliability procedures (intraclass correlations or generalizability coefficients). Conditions governing this phenomenon are presented along with implications and cautions. (Author)