This study investigated patterns of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) Third Edition subtest scores for 42 gifted children in grades 4-8. Variability from subtest means was highest on Similarities, Comprehension, Coding, and Symbol Search subtests. Significant weaknesses were found on the Block Design subtest, seen as a peak subtest…

The validity of the schizophrenia subscale of the Psychopathology Instrument for Mentally Retarded Adults (PIMRA) was evaluated with 65 adults having mild to moderate mental retardation as well as either schizophrenia, depression, or no psychopathology. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted, as were interrater reliability analyses.…

A new questionnaire instrument, the Life Satisfaction Index for Adolescents (LSIA), has been developed for adolescents with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This article reviews the conceptual basis of the LSIA, its development, and its reliability and validity (established with 15 male adolescents with DMD). (DB)

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses provide evidence for the construct validity of the five subscales of a parallel Portuguese language version of the Dimensions of Self-Concept scale Form H. Subjects were 159 female and 236 male Brazilian college students. (SLD)

The validity of the Five Dimensional Life Satisfaction Index was evaluated with 48 adults with moderate mental retardation. Results showed reliability of alternate forms and internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity, and construct validity. (Author/DB)

An instrument was developed to assess the community functioning of released insanity acquitees using items from previous scales and some original items. Preliminary results with samples from 254 to 1,187 subjects indicate that the developed questionnaire compares favorably in reliability with existing instruments. (SLD)

Discusses the applications of summative rating scales to assess frequency of language learning strategy use, describing the most widely employed strategy scale, the English-as-a-Second-Language/English-as-a-Foreign-Language version of the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL). Studies of strategy use frequencies and factor analytic…

This study tested the interrater reliability of the Modified Ashworth Scale in measuring upper and lower limb spasticity in 34 hemiplegic adult patients examined by 2 physiotherapists and 2 doctors. Findings indicated satisfactory reliability for upper limb spasticity but less satisfactory results for lower limb spasticity. (DB)

The reliability and validity of Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAP) scores were investigated for 53 mothers of young children with disabilities and 60 mothers of young children without handicaps. Results generally support the integrity of CAP scores, although the random response subscale's reliability could be improved by omitting some items.…

Four bootstrap methods are identified for constructing confidence intervals for the binomial-error model. The extent to which similar results are obtained and the theoretical foundation of each method and its relevance and ranges of modeling the true score uncertainty are discussed. (SLD)

A study investigated the reliability and validity of the Study Process Questionnaire (Biggs) for 352 undergraduates in a Nigerian university. Although it was found that the concepts involved were relevant to this population and scales and subscales had adequate internal consistency, cross-cultural comparison of scores was problematic. (Author/MSE)

The development and psychometric assessment of a Risk of Hospitalization Scale are described. The scale, designed to help case managers for the seriously mentally ill meet clients' needs, demonstrates satisfactory reliability and validity for 18 vignettes and 60 actual cases. The scale has been adopted for use in New Jersey. (SLD)

Results from a pilot group of 22 parents of preschoolers and 96 parents of toddlers suggest that 3 developed measures of the supportive relationship between parents and child caregivers--the Caregiver Support Appraisal Scale-V, the Caregiver Support Appraisal Scale-P, and the Caregiver Supportive Behavior Scale--are valid and reliable measures.…

The Survey of Teenage Readiness and Neurodevelopmental Status (STRANDS), which includes a questionnaire and structured interview designed to assist in assessing learning problems in high school students, was administered to 54 older adolescents either normally achieving or with learning disabilities. Results provided preliminary support for the…

Demonstrated adequate reliability (internal consistency, alternate form) and validity (concurrent, convergent, and discriminant) of state version of Set 1 and Set 2 of Depression Adjective Checklists with two adolescent samples (total n=602). Lists were shown to be sufficiently sensitive for use in measuring short-term mood. Grade and sex effects…