Thirty-one clinical psychologists scored Comprehension, Similarities, and Vocabulary subtest items common to the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Revised (WISC-R). The results on interrater scoring agreement suggest that the scoring of these subtests may be less subjective than…

The proportion of agreement, G, and kappa indexes are shown to differ in how they correct for chance agreements between two observers. On the basis of the findings, it is suggested that no single agreement index is appropriate for all sets of data. (Author/BW)

Kaiser and Michael reported a formula for factor scores giving an internal consistency reliability and its square root, the domain validity. Using this formula is inappropriate if variables are included which have trival weights rather than salient weights for the factor for which the score is being computed. (Author/RL)

The present study was designed to determine if maze tests constructed over the same passages by different teachers were comparable. In addition, maze test parallel form reliability was investigated. (HOD)

The one-year stabilities of several well-standardized intellectual, educational, and personality tests were evaluated for 15 children of Mexican American migrant workers. Most of the stability coefficients observed for these tests were statistically significant and similar to those reported for their normative samples. However, the stability…

Use of the same term "split-half" for division of an n-item test into two subtests containing equal (Cronbach), and possibly unequal (Guttman), numbers of items sometimes leads to a misunderstanding about the relation between Guttman's maximum split-half bound and Cronbach's coefficient alpha. This distinction is clarified. (Author/JKS)

Two doctoral level school psychologists independently scored 50 McCarthy drawing booklets. Children producing the drawings ranged from 5-11. Interscorer reliability for Draw-A-Design was .93 and for Draw-A-Child was .96. No significant differences occurred in the mean score for either test across scores. (Author)

This research reports the development and psychometric properties of scores from the 10-item Short Index of Self-Directedness (SISD), drawn from the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI; C. R. Cloninger, 1987/1992a) and the TCI-125 (C. R. Cloninger, 1992b). Factor structure, construct validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability…

Item content of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) was modified to make it more appropriate for young persons. The resulting test was found to have lower internal consistency than the adult MAST, but the elimination of five items with comparatively poor psychometric properties yielded an acceptable alpha coefficient. (Contains 10…

Process Skills Assessment is an observational assessment designed to evaluate process skills as demonstrated during the performance of a self-selected task. Retest reliability results indicated that assessment can be used to measure changes in clients' process skills after occupational therapy if the same task is used upon readministration.…

Developed Family Emotional Involvement and Criticism Scale (FEICS), self-report scale assessing perceived criticism and intensity of emotional involvement. Adult respondents (n=83) completed FEICS. Cronbach's alpha was 0.82 for Perceived Criticism subscale and 0.74 for Emotional Involvement subscale. Findings suggest that FEICS is reliable…

Examined test-retest reliability for Test of Language Development-2: Primary (TOLD-2 P) and Intermediate (TOLD-2 I). Findings from 60 children revealed that, with few exceptions, both tests had satisfactory reliability over 2-week interval. Less satisfactory reliability was found for TOLD-2 P Semantics Composite (ages 4, 6 ,and 8); Phonology…

Examined the internal consistency of three tests from the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery (R. Reitan and D. Wolfson, 1992) with a sample of 334 children, 9 to 14 years of age. Gives reliability coefficients for the Seashore Rhythm Test, two forms of the Speech Sounds Perception Test, and the Aphasia Screening Test. (SLD)

Investigates some of the psychometric characteristics of the results from visual-analogue scales used to measure mental imagery. Reports that the scores from visual-analogue scales are positively related to scores from longer pencil-and-paper measures of mental imagery. Implications and limitations for the use of visual-analogue scales to measure…

Discusses state testing, various types of tests, and whether the increased attention to assessment is contributing to improved student learning. Describes uses of standardized multiple-choice, open-ended constructed response, essay, performance event, and portfolio methods. (JOW)