The validity of various reliability-corrected procedures for adjusting for initial differences between groups in uncontrolled studies is established for subjects exhibiting linear fan-spread growth. The results are then extended to a nonlinear model of growth. (Author)

While Spearman's rho and Kendall's tau are equally powerful rank-order correlation coefficients under conditions of normality, they have different metrics. Applied to the same data, tau is smaller in absolute value, often no more than two-thirds of the size of rho. This difference in correlational metric appears to need emphasis. (Author/CM)

In two studies, selections of evaluation form items were negatively worded and presented before or after overall student ratings. Ratings of courses and instructors were not significantly affected by wording. Differences in the global assessment of the courses are discussed. (Author/CM)

Social science researchers tend to analyze two dimensional frequency tables using Pearson's Chi-square test, which can be improved upon if the dependent variable represents an ordered qualitative characteristic. An improved modification by the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance on ranks is shown for a planned and post hoc analysis. (Author/CM)

For multi-subject experiments with all factors repeated (a single independent group of subjects), three multi-subject behavior functions are identified and analyzed. They are based on Shine's actualized and pure single-subject behavior functions extended to multi-subject experiments with some factors nonrepeated (several independent groups of…

When determining criterion-referenced test length, problems of guessing are shown to be more serious than expected. A new method of scoring is presented that corrects for guessing without assuming that guessing is random. Empirical investigations of the procedure are examined. Test length can be substantially reduced. (Author/CM)

It is generally believed that the correction formula will yield exact correlational values only when the regression of z on x is both linear and homoscedastic. The formula is shown to hold for nonlinear heteroscedastic relationships. A simple sufficient condition for formula validity and estimation predictions is demonstrated in a numerical…

Five types of multiple-choice items that can be used to assess higher-order educational objectives are examined. The item types do not exhaust the possibilities, but they are standard forms found helpful in writing items to measure more than recognitive memory. (Author/CM)

Coefficients of correlation and concordance are defined for profiles consisting of ensembles of partially ordered sets, by extending Kendall's rank order correlation (tau) and Kendall's coefficient of concordance (W) to cases where subjects are asked to rank order, or to choose among, the given alternatives in multiple sets of items. (Author/PN)

Alternate versions of Hutchinson's theory were compared, and one which implies the existence of partial knowledge was found to be better than one which implies that an appropriate measure of ability is obtained by applying the conventional correction for guessing. (Author/PN)

Five weighting methods for combining multiple criteria into a single composite were evaluated on 117 bank tellers. Four of the five methods (management, weights, equal weights, unit weights and factor weights) yielded nearly identical results. The fifth method (canonical weights) correlated almost zero with the other methods. (Author/PN)

A Monte Carlo design examined how the effects of guessing and item dependence influence test characteristics and student scores. Although validity for cloze variants was high, multiple-choice cloze had significantly lower reliabilities than did true score equivalents. (Author/PN)

The validity of using proficiency test scores to make specific educational decisions is addressed. Ninth grade mathematics proficiency test scores were analyzed in both continuous and categorized form. The nature of the decisions to be made was examined as a factor in determining the categorization technique. (Author/PN)

The hypothesis that four measures selected to represent the field dependence-independence construct would be positively intercorrelated was supported by the presence of statistically significant positive correlation coefficients in the total sample as well as in the subgroups differentiated by ethnicity, intelligence level, and sex. (Author/PN)

The construct validity of the Rokeach Value Survey (RVS) was evaluated. It was concluded that the RVS may be situation specific; and that ipsative measurement is useful when information about value choice is desired, but that normative measurement is more appropriate when the research is investigating the nature of value perception. (Author/PN)