Assessed the validity of short forms that reduce the number of items within subtests rather than the number of subtests. Used data from the standardization samples for the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, WISC-Revised, and WAIS-Revised. (Author)

An extension of the Rasch model for partial credit scoring of test items is presented. An unconditional maximum likelihood procedure for estimating the model parameters is developed. The relationship of this model to Andrich's Rating Scale model and Samejima's Graded Response model are discussed. (Author/JKS)

The empirical evidence does not support the prevailing conventional wisdom that it is advisable to mix positively and negatively worded items in psychological measures to counteract acquiescence response bias. An experiment, evaluating subjects' ability to respond accurately to both positive and reversed items on a questionnaire, analyzed post-hoc…

Three measures often used with handicapped children (the Berry-Talbott Comprehension of Grammar, the Grammatic Closure subtest of the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities, and the Grammatic Completion subtest of the Test of Language Development) are discussed in terms of test reliability, scoring procedures, format, and types of scores.…

The object of the study was to investigate the effect of differences in format on the precision of teacher ratings and thus on the reliability and validity of two teacher rating scales of children's hyperactive behavior. Attributes assessed were motor restlssness, inattentiveness, impulsivity, and aggressiveness/emotional stability. (Author/DB)

The influence of test format on retention of research concepts and procedures on a final examination was investigated. The test formats studied were multiple choice and short answer. (Author/JKS)

Presents a characteristic curve procedure for comparing transformations of the item response theory ability scale assuming the multiple-choice model. Illustrates the use of the method with an example equating American College Testing mathematics tests. (SLD)

The Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT) (A. S. Kaufman and N. L. Kaufman, 1990) was compared with short forms of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale--Revised (WAIS-R) using results from 64 referrals to a neuropsychology service. Advantages of each test are noted and their use discussed. (SLD)

Compared the observation of children's growth in reading using grade equivalents with that using the Rasch simultaneous vertical equating procedure. Results from equating 25 reading tests show that grade equivalents differ more between two different test forms than do ability measures obtained from the Rasch simultaneous vertical equating. (SLD)

Studied the effects of linguistic simplification, a test accommodation designed for students of limited English proficiency (LEP), using data from the Delaware state science assessment program for grades 4 and 6. Findings for 11,306 non-LEP and 109 LEP students show that tests and items can be simplified linguistically without compromising score…

Studied the relationship between test mode (paper and pencil or computerized with and without editorial control) and computer familiarity for 222 undergraduates. Results emphasize the importance of evaluating time constraints when converting exams from paper to computer delivery. (SLD)

Three ethical-legal case incidents involving computer-assisted psychodiagnostic assessment in the schools are presented. Each case is analyzed in terms of applicable laws, ethical codes, and standards for professional practice. (Author)

Three experiments with 220 undergraduates generating or exposed to misspellings between two successive spelling tests indicated that experience with misspellings can be detrimental to subsequent performance. People may store multiple spelling versions of some words. Techniques using incorrect spellings are questionable methods of teaching or…

Examined the equivalence of two versions of the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory (SCII) using four combinations of paper-and-pencil and computer administrations with college student subjects (N=75). Found slightly better test-retest reliability for the computer-based SCII. (Author/ABL)

LISREL maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analyses assessed the effects of grouped and random formats on convergent and discriminant validity of two sets of questionnaires--job characteristics scales and satisfaction measures--each administered to 80 college students. The grouped format was superior, and the usefulness of LISREL confirmatory…