Confusion in the literature between the concepts of internal consistency and homogeneity has led to a misuse of coefficient alpha as an index of item homogeneity. This misuse is discussed and several indices of item homogeneity derived from the model of common factor analysis are offered as alternatives. (Author/JKS)

Results from comparative testing indicate that fingertip blood is a valid indicator of antecubital venous hematocrit (hct) and hemoglobin (hgb), and that hct ratios determined on the Coulter counter are comparable to those found by the microhematocrit method. (MB)

A method of estimating item characteristic functions is proposed, in which a set of test items, whose operating characteristics are known and which give a constant test information function for a wide range of ability, are used. The method is based on maximum likelihood estimation procedures. (Author/JKS)

Measurement error in dependent variables reduces the power of statistical tests to detect mean differences of specified magnitude. Procedures for determining power and sample size that consider the reliability of the dependent variable are discussed and illustrated. Methods for estimating reliability coefficients used in these procedures are…

Twelve children with Down's syndrome (ages 3-5 years) were tested six times over 2.5 months on three Piagetian infant search tasks. Results suggested that cognitive ability of this population may be poorly measured by single-session testing and that caution is necessary when using tests designed for and validated on younger, nonretarded subjects.…

Two new methods for constructing a credibility interval (CI)--an interval containing a specified proportion of true validity description--are discussed, from a frequentist perspective. Tolerance intervals, unlike the current method of constructing the CI, have performance characteristics across repeated applications and may be useful in validity…

This article discusses the ethical implications of using tests intended only to protect the blood supply as diagnostic or prognostic tests for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The reliability of these tests and the confidentiality of their results are discussed, along with ethical issues of research regarding AIDS. (MT)

Evaluated a short form of the Roommate Rapport Scale that would maintain the scale's reliability and eliminate potentially objectionable items using students (N=320) who resided in dormitories. Results showed the short form to be reliable and unidimensional. (ABL)

Self-, peer, and supervisor ratings were obtained for simulated interviews using seven different measures of counseling performance. Results indicated significant differences among self, peer, and supervisor ratings and among four of the seven dependent measures. (Author/BL)

Presents data on the interrater reliability, internal consistency, factor structure, and discriminant validity of the Cognitive Therapy Scale (CTS). Results indicate that the CTS can be used with only moderate interrater reliability but the aggregation can be used to increase reliability. The CTS is highly homogeneous and provides a relatively…

The MMPI was translated into Puerto Rican Spanish and administered to 663 high school students and 122 mental health clients aged 15-18 years. Findings demonstrated that the MMPI, applied in a different language and to a different age group, has successfully accomplished the task for which it was originally designed. (DC)

Examined trait and trait and state inventories as measures of anxiety. The probabilistic Rasch Model was applied to 100 athletes' responses to trait and state anxiety items before competition. Results indicated that items of both scales produced misfit responses and did not produce equal units of measurement. (Author/NRB)

A learning disability index (LDI) for the assessment of intellectual deficits on the K-ABC is described. The population parameters of this index allows for assessment of the abnormality of the LDI in the individual case, as well as for evaluation of statistical significance of any change in the LDI from test to retest. (Author/CL)

Critiques six frequently used counselor rating scales: the Counselor Rating Form, the Counselor Rating Form-Short Version, the Barrett-Lenard Relationship Inventory, the Counselor Evaluation Inventory, the Counselor Effectiveness Scale, and the Counselor Effectiveness Rating Scale. Examines validity, reliability, and pragmatic utility of each…

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…