This paper demonstrates that, although aggregated standard scores can correlate substantially with aggregated raw scores, their correlations with an external criterion can differ markedly. This will occur when the variances of the components differ, and these differences are related to the correlations of the components with the criterion. (Author)

Measures of agreement for ordinal-scaled data are suggested that make use of the k categories with the highest ranks. The proposed measures are applied to the Self-Directed Search in order to evaluate its agreement with self-assessment (translation ability) or with the work environment (congruence). (Author)

The stability was evaluated of a partial correlation index, comparisons of item characteristic curves, and comparisions of item difficulties in assessing race and sex differences in the performance of verbal items on the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test. All three indexes exhibited consistency in identifying the same items in different…

Available approaches for determing significant differences between various groups are considered for use when the homogeneity of slopes precludes standard analysis of covariance. The advantages and statistical procedures for relating to a reference group are presented and criteria are suggested for choosing the best groups. (Author)

The concept of change is related to suppressor variable conditions in a least square regression model. The domain of conditions necessary for a weighted change score composite to emerge as an underlying construct is mapped and the information loss through arbitrary assignment of weights to a change composite is explored. (Author/BW)

It was hypothesized that matching test formats would reduce test anxiety. Three experiments were conducted in which high school juniors and seniors took parallel matching and multiple-choice tests covering topics of prior knowledge or recently learned information. Results showed that matching tests were superior to multiple choice formats.…

The binomial error model includes form-to-form difficulty differences as error variance and leads to Ruder-Richardson formula 21 as an estimate of reliability. If the form-to-form component is removed from the estimate of error variance, the binomial model leads to KR 20 as the reliability estimate. (Author/BW)

Cover letters with and without pictures of the researcher were included with questionnaires mailed to a sample of 384 university alumni. The total number of returned questionnaires, after the initial mailing and two personalized follow-ups, were lower in the researcher-pictured cover letter conditions than in the control conditions. (Author/BW)

Two measures of association between sets of variables have been proposed for set correlation: the proportion of generalized variance, and the proportion of additionive variance. Because these measures are strongly positively biased, approximate expected values and estimators of these measures are derived and checked. (Author/BW)

First-Grade Screening Test scores of 72 kindergarten children were compared with end-of-year kindergarten performance and midyear achievement testing in first grade. Results suggested moderate predictive utility. Strong relationships with concept-learning and direction-following tasks indicated that the test's construct validity needs to be…

This study compared the validity of chronological age, a standardized algebra prognosis test, standardized verbal and quantitative scales derived from an achievement test battery, and an objective measure of formal or concrete stages of Piagetian cognitive development for predicting final examination scores and course grades in high school…

Based on a sample of 145 graduate students in social work, results indicated that the Graduate Record Examination, as a primary basis for admission, is not a valid predictor of future performance in schools of social work. Moreover, its elimination does not produce a lower quality of student. (Author/BW)

The factorial validity of the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) was investigated with a sample of first graders (n=393). Although eight areas are proposed from the SAT, this analysis produced only one general factor. Results suggest limiting SAT interpretation for first graders to a total score approach. (Author/BS)

The concurrent validity of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) was assessed against the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities in a sample of 39 Mexican-American preschool children from low socioeconomic status background. Results indicated some specific support for the WPPSI's concurrent validity. (Author/BS)

The internal consistency reliability, concurrent validity, and stability of the Cooperative Preschool Inventory in English and Spanish editions were examined for monolingual English and monolingual Spanish Hispanic preschool pupils. The finding support the reliability, validity, and stability of both editions as used as well as the comparability…