Establishing job fitness standards requires three major steps: (1) identifying and defining the job requirements in terms of physical strength and proficiency; (2) determining tests to measure these abilities; and (3) developing evidence to support inferences drawn from test scores. These issues are discussed. (MT)

For measuring the face validity of a test, Nevo suggested that test takers and nonprofessional users rate items on a five point scale. This article questions the ability of those raters and the credibility of the aggregated judgment as evidence of the validity of the test. (JAZ)

Describes an alternative approach to assessing content validity and content equivalence in terms of item-content structures and content area constructs. Results from applying structural equation modeling to item-response data from two Regents College examinations to verify content constructs suggest the different degrees of inconsistency and bias…

A competency exam can help determine whether a training program has been effective only if it can pass the test of content validity. Seven steps for ensuring validity are developing learning objectives, outlining content, establishing format, constructing test items, evaluating validity, administering the exam, and analyzing results. (JOW)

Discusses the elusiveness of precision in language testing in relation to three major issues of linguistic analysis: 1) universality; 2) combining power; and 3) incorporation of extra language data. The results of a recent English Language Testing Service (ELTS) Test support this relationship. Language testing should accept the centrality of…

The definition, importance, conceptual basis, and functional nature of content validity are explored, with an emphasis on psychological assessment in clinical situations. Conditional and dynamic aspects and multiple elements of content validity are discussed, and quantitative and qualitative methods of content validation are reviewed. (SLD)

Examines argumentative flexibility as a variable influencing responses to three argumentative situations. Compares trait argumentativeness to argumentative flexibility as a predictor of argumentative behavior. Concludes by discussing the validity of the argumentative flexibility construct. (SR)

Item and factor analyses examined the psychometric characteristics of the White Racial Identity Attitude Scale based on data from 308 white college students. Then five trained judges assigned scale items to appropriate subscales. Results did not support the psychometric adequacy of the scale. (SK)

Describes a short-form assessment scale for drug involvement, providing information about its administration, scoring, and interpretation. Discusses the initial research conducted to validate the instrument and provides reliability data. Also details the development of a clinical cutting score that will help practitioners evaluate the significance…

Reviews the research related to the definition of "literacy" and the comparability of various reading media and their implications for vocational assessment of literacy skills with visually impaired adults. It suggests that the characteristics of literacy, the media, and of the working methods used in criterion situations affect the content…

This investigation was conducted to validate the Beck Depression Inventory--II (BDI-II; A. T. Beck, R. A. Steer, & G. K. Brown, 1996) in samples of adolescent psychiatric inpatients. The sample in each substudy was primarily Caucasian. In Study 1, expert raters (N=7) and adolescent psychiatric inpatients (N=13) evaluated the BDI-II items to assess…

This study compares the psychometric characteristics of four questionnaires designed to assess self-control skills: the Self-Control Questionnaire, the Frequency of Self-Reinforcement Questionnaire, the Cognitive Self-Management Test, and the Lifestyle Approaches Inventory. Content validity was judged to be fairly comparable by three raters in…

Three studies describe the development and refinement of a measure designed to assess Attitudes Toward Working Single Parents (AWSP). Study 1 consisted of content validation of items written to assess respondent attitudes regarding the effect of single parenthood on two dimensions viewed as most central to the life experiences of single parents:…

As automated scoring of complex constructed-response examinations reaches operational status, the process of evaluating the quality of resultant scores, particularly in contrast to scores of expert human graders, becomes as complex as the data itself. Using a vignette from the Architectural Registration Examination (ARE), this article explores the…

The series of studies in this monograph examined the adoption of model-based instruction (MBI) as an innovative approach to teaching physical education. This innovation must be learned and used by preservice teachers, and then ultimately accepted by pupils in schools where student teachers plan for and implement MBI. Decisions by student teachers…