A method for examining common factor variance in multiple-component measuring instruments is outlined. The procedure is based on an application of the latent variable modeling methodology and is concerned with evaluating observed variance explained by a global factor and by one or more additional component-specific factors. The approach furnishes…

The purpose of the present study is to provide a historical account and metasynthesis of which statistical techniques are most frequently used in the fields of education and psychology. Six articles reviewing the "American Educational Research Journal" from 1969 to 1997 and five articles reviewing the psychological literature from 1948 to 2001…

The validity of Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores is examined by summarizing 273 studies conducted between 1997 and 2004. Each of the studies was conducted through the Validity Study Service of the test sponsor and contained identical variables and statistical methods. Validity coefficients from each of the studies were corrected…

In 1997, noting that the 50th anniversary of the publication of "Coefficient Alpha and the Internal Structure of Tests" was fast approaching, Lee Cronbach planned what have become the notes published here. His aim was to point out the ways in which his views on coefficient alpha had evolved, doubting now that the coefficient was the best way of…

Studied the psychometric strengths of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (J. Phinney, 1992) through a review of 12 studies using this measure, a confirmatory factor analysis of the measure (n=219 high school students), and a readability analysis. Findings show Phinney's two-factor model is a better fit than a global model. (SLD)

Reliability generalization (RG) is a measurement meta-analytic method used to explore the variability in score reliability estimates and to characterize possible sources of the variance. Summarizes some RG considerations, and suggests how confidence intervals might be portrayed graphically. (SLD)

Discusses the computation and application of various epidemiological measures of effect in educational and developmental research. Reviews issues related to the use and interpretation of the risk-ratio, the odds-ratio, and the logistic regression odds-ratio and examines community-level measures of effect. (SLD)

Examined whether individuals could fake their responses to a personality inventory if instructed to do so. Across 51 studies, fakeability did not vary by personality dimension. All the "Big Five" factors were equally fakeable, but faking produced the largest distortions in social desirability scales. Contains 75 references. (SLD)

Validity evidence from several studies for a nonverbal measure of self-esteem, the Sliding Person Test (SPERT), is presented. Results of the studies indicate the utility of the measure for elementary through college students. (JKS)

The structure-of-intellect model is updated to contain five content properties: (1) visual; (2) auditory; (3) symbolic; (4) semantic; and (5) behavioral. The memory element within the operations facet is differentiated into memory recording and memory retention. Research is cited to support these changes, the operations, and the products of the…

A review of the research on item writing, item format, test instructions, and item readability indicated the importance of instrument structure in the interpretation of test data. The effect of failing to consider these areas on the content validity of achievement test scores is discussed. (Author/GK)

A meta-analytic review was conducted on published studies examining the relationship between performance on the quantitative and verbal components of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and graduate grade point average. Results suggest that the quantitative and verbal components of the GRE possess minimal predictive validity. (SLD)

An attempt was made to determine whether the traits known as cognitive styles should be recognized as intellectual abilities or intellectual controls, or both. It was suggested that the structure of intellect model could serve as a frame of reference for future research in this area. (Author/RL)

The cloze procedure has been used by educators for over 25 years to measure readability of materials and reading comprehension. Yet, the technique is not mentioned in educational measurement textbooks. Some possible reasons for this situation are examined. (Author/RL)

Metanalysis of 27 studies dealing with psychology students and the Graduate Record Examinations' (GRE) validity in predicting graduate school success was conducted. Overall, results do not indicate that the verbal and advanced psychology portions are valid predictors of grades, although the quantitative section predicts grades in quantitative…