Obtaining the intrinsic rational validity Ebel describes (TM 508 146) requires several steps that have been neglected in developing tests of ability. These include defining and describing the behaviors that demonstrate possession or lack of the ability, analyzing behaviors, translating the analyses into specifications for test items, and writing…

A four-stage chart of skills and concepts can be used as a basis for dance analysis. The use of the chart may provide a means by which a more informed response to and a deeper experience of dance may be made possible and in consequence a more discerning dance public may be created. (AM)

An approach for evaluating the functional skills of mentally retarded persons using computers is described. The Rockland Assessments of Functional Behavior provides clinicians with a detailed behavioral profile of performance in a variety of skill areas while allowing for acceptable variations in performance. (Author)

With the use of a special instrumented golf club, grip pressure measurements can be used by the instructor to quantify and discuss the effects of grip pressure in relation to instructional points. (MM)

This theoretical analysis of sociological conceptions of skill contrasts four approaches: positivist, ethnomethodological, Weberian, and Marxist. It is argued that impasses in industrial sociology stem from the fact that these approaches use very different notions of skill. (58 references) (SK)

Explains the biomechanical principles that underpin the effective performance of the high/low recovery and sculling support strokes used in kayaking. Provides paddlers with some explanation of the actions that they intuitively make. Gives justification for the teaching points used in teaching these techniques. (KS)

Discusses various types of end users of computer systems, describes skills they may need to have, and suggests knowledge that is needed to become an informed end user. The attitudes and responsibilities expected of users are discussed, and the role of computer-based training is examined. (Two references) (LRW)

One of the best methods of formative assessment in academic areas and a method that exemplifies the characteristics of good measures is Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM; Deno, 1985). Developed at the University of Minnesota in the early 1970's, CBM has been researched in academic areas including mathematics computation, concepts, and…

This study presents an investigation of information literacy as defined by the ETS iSkills™ assessment and by the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Information Literacy Scale (ILS). As two related but distinct measures, both iSkills and the ILS were used with undergraduate students at NJIT during the spring 2006 semester. Undergraduate…

Although the sport of karate has been somewhat neglected by scientists, the following two isolated biomechanical studies exist in literature: (1) tracings of a karate chop in two planes were presented, but no data was given concerning the rates of movement of the limb segments, and (2) pre- and postimpact phenomena of five subjects were studied,…

This study measured the feature selection and classification ability of 213 children between the ages of four and sixteen through an analysis of their sorting performance from a developmental point of view. (CM)

A battery composed of the following test items would comprise a quick and objective measure of basketball skill: (a) jump and reach; (b) dribble; (c) speed pass; and (d) front shot. (Author/MJB)

Reviews the hundreds of studies showing that general cognitive ability predicts job performance in all jobs. Shows that general cognitive ability predicts supervisor ratings and training success and that general cognitive ability predicts objective, rigorously content valid work sample performance with even higher validity. (Author/ABB)

Different types of diving entries were filmed both above water and underwater to help identify factors which enable divers to enter the water without apparent splash. Anthropometric measures of subjects were taken to determine body streamlining. Results are presented. (Author/DF)