Provides a brief overview of validity and reliability as concepts related to the overall quality of test instruments. Describes the nature and interpretation of content, face, criterion, and construct validity and identifies several approaches for measurement and improvement of reliability. (Author/CS)

The Student-Level Observation of Beginning Reading (SOBR) was designed to focus on the content of instructional activities in reading at the individual student level, and is based on a time sample of time spent on specific activities. (Author/BW)

Compared the subtest and IQ scores obtained by learning disabled and retarded children and youth on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Revised) after a two-year time interval. Stability coefficients were obtained. The evidence indicated the WISC-R provides stable full-scale IQs. (Author)

Described is the development and validation of the Charlop-Atwell Scale of Motor Coordination, which is designed to measure some aspects of the gross motor coordination of children between the ages of 4 and 6 years. The test itself and the scoring ranges for boys and girls are appended. (Author/SJL)

Results of statistical analyses suggest that high lie-scorers respond honestly, and that the Lie Scale for the Eysenck Personality Inventory may reflect a personality dimension of interest rather than an extraneous and undesirable factor to be eliminated. (Author)

Comments on the strengths and weaknesses of the reading portions of the California Achievement Tests. (JT)

Two multitrait-multimethod studies were conducted to investigate the effects of two scoring formulas. The study demonstrates that tests of divergent thinking lack discriminant validity when scored in the usual manner. A percentage formula did enhance discriminant validity when originality ratings were subjectively determined. (Author/CTM)

Psychometric properties of Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale were examined. Evidence supported the theoretical notion of an individual difference variable in arousal-seeking. Other evidence, however, suggested that measurement problems continue to hamper research: the total score was moderately reliable, but the subscales were only marginally…

Although the cloze procedure was shown to be satisfactorily reliable with deaf Ss, cloze scores did not relate to the predicted passage difficulty; therefore, the validity of the cloze procedure as a readability measure was not confirmed. (Author/DLS)

Investigated the predictive power of two written tests of Piagetian developmental level, The Understanding in Science Test and the Reasoning Test. Also examined the extent to which two variables, level of reading comprehension and level of field dependence-independence, were associated with performance of secondary school Australian students on…

This study compared double cross-validation replication predictive accuracies of six types of factor scores with full-rank data by utilizing data in which classroom achievement was predicted from affective and cognitive variables. Prediction was significantly more accurate for factor scores than for full-rank data. (Author/CP)

Valid measures of achievement need must consider both specific discipline and motivational factors within each discipline. Four factors influence a student's achievement need: self-concept of ability, attitudes toward teachers, teacher expectations, and future value of courses. (CP)

It is concluded, among other things, that although GIFT criterion related validity is modest, it predicts creativity about as well as other more complicated instruments, and its reliability is much better than teacher ratings or nominations; and that it also appears to have international and cross cultural face validity. (DLS)

A method of statistically analyzing clinical performance examinations for reliability and the application of this method in determining the reliability of two examinations of skill in administering anesthesia are described. Videotaped performances for the Spinal Anesthesia Skill Examination and the Anesthesia Setup and Machine Checkout Examination…

Ratings of student performance for two essay questions rendered by professors of English and by professors in other disciplines were compared for reliability and concurrent validity. It was concluded that the reliability and validity of the ratings of the two groups were nearly comparable. (Author/BW)