Considers the question of whether instructional methods are replaceable or interchangeable. Topics discussed include the influence of external events on learning and cognitive processes, media variables, linking instructional design to research on learning from instruction, construct validity, and an example of adequate instructional design and…

A method is proposed for manipulation of scale recalibration to evaluate techniques designed to detect change due to scale recalibration, including the Ideal Scale Approach of R. Zmud and A. Armenakis (1978). An illustration of an adaptation of the Ideal Scale Approach with 194 undergraduate students is included. (SLD)

Studied structure of Stanford-Binet: Fourth Edition for normal children who were not part of standardization sample. Found that, for children aged 2-6 years, either 2- or 3-factor model could be supported. For students aged 7-11, neither of 2 models studied was supported. Alternative model with verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning,…

Extended construct validity of Farmer's (1984) Home-Career-Conflict Measure (H-C) by exploring its relationship with measure of perceived sex role expectations of significant others. Single female college students (n=97) completed the H-C and the Attitudes toward Sex Roles scale. Findings indicated that significantly higher home-career conflict…

Logical difficulties with existing measures of construct implications are examined, and a new instrument that partially overcomes them--the Logical Relations Grid--is described. Empirical data from a study of 28 children and 47 parents in Australia are given in support of instrument reliability and validity. (SLD)

This review of methods for validating writing assessments was conceptualized within a framework suggested by S. Messick (1989) that included five operational components of construct validation: (1) content representativeness; (2) structural fidelity; (3) nomological validity; (4) criterion-related validity; and (5) nomothetic span. (SLD)

Describes study of undergraduate students in the United States and in China that was conducted to compare their attitudes toward computers, specifically computer anxiety. Attitude measures are discussed, statistical procedures for examining the invariance of constructs obtained from measurement scales are explained, and results indicate similar…

Examined the validity and reliability of the Professional Development Inventory, an instrument used in assessment centers of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). Results support the ease of use and high degree of validity and reliability of the instrument. (SLD)

Addresses the issue of the reliability of grammaticality judgment tests and explores what it is that they measure (i.e., their construct validity). Various methods of examining their reliability demonstrate that the grammaticality judgment tests used in this study had relatively low reliability. (Author/VWL)

Describes formative research methodology and how it can be used for procedural instructional design theory. Compares formative research with formative evaluation for instructional products and discusses objectivity, trustworthiness, construct validity, and the need for greater use of formative research methodology. (Contains 32 references.)…

Authors examine the construct of resilience and its application in schools. Analysis suggests several cautions concerning adoption of programs and practices related to resilience. These include: problems with locating resilience in children instead of systems; over-reliance upon programs to promote resilience instead of natural processes; and the…

Research in temperament attempts to explain the normal range of individual differences in adjusting to stimuli, activities, and persons in the environment. Mini-series reviews temperament constructs and relates them to development of children's interpersonal and academic difficulties. They show how understanding temperamental roots of…

Examines the construct validity of the Adaptive Behavior Scale-School: 2 (ABS-S: 2) through exploratory factor analysis. Results indicate that the ABS-S: 2 is best understood as a two-factor instrument for both children with mental retardation and for those without mental retardation. The test does seem to reflect personal independence and social…

Responses of 123 adults were used to develop a measure to assess expectations and stereotypes about adolescents. The developed scale was refined and tested with 361 college students and 112 parents of young adolescents. The measure's subscales demonstrate adequate internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity. (SLD)

The psychometric properties of the Hopelessness Scale for Children (A. Kazdin et al., 1983) were examined for children and adolescents with mental retardation or a learning disability. Analyses of scores from 261 students shows a factor structure almost identical to the original structure and scale scores of adequate validity. (SLD)