The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) was designed to serve as a reliable and quantifiable measure of alcohol dependence (M. Selzer, 1971). Since its introduction, the psychometric properties of the MAST have been studied extensively, but there are several questions that have not been addressed or only partially answered. The purpose of…

Given some consensus that statistical significance tests are broken, misused, or at least have somewhat limited utility, the focus of discussion within the field ought to move beyond additional bashing of statistical significance tests, and toward more constructive suggestions for improved practice. Five suggestions for improved practice are…

This paper summarizes the literature regarding statistical significance testing with an emphasis on: (1) the post-1994 literature in various disciplines; (2) alternatives to statistical significance testing; and (3) literature exploring why researchers have demonstrably failed to be influenced by the 1994 American Psychological Association…

The Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT) is designed for use as a quick intelligence test for individuals aged 4 years through adulthood. The K-BIT measures both verbal and nonverbal intelligence, yielding Vocabulary, Matrices, and IQ composite scores. The test is easy to administer, and questions are scored objectively, making it easy for…

An analysis of Revised Preschool Language Scale (PLS) results on 672 preschool children reveal that one age-level grouping and five individual items appear to be inappropriately placed within the scale. Sex differences for both the auditory comprehension and verbal ability subtests, and for the total scale, were clinically insignificant.…

The author suggests that much of the current vocational evaluation technology does not fit within the definition of a work sample, and warns that if evaluators do not integrate their measurement tools with the discipline's philosophy, system publishers will gain control over vocational evaluation. (CL)

Four purposes of testing (screening, classification, program planning, and program evaluation) are identified, and tests are futher broken down into type, methods of scoring, and methods of administration. The author emphasizes that tests should be selected to accomplish the purposes of testing. (CL)

Investigated whether dimensions of transformational and transactional leadership can be inferred from subordinate reports of leadership behaviors collected through the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) (B. Posner and J. Kouzes, 1988) completed by 1,892 subordinates about 344 managers. Results support use of the LPI to measure transformation and…

Reviews Family Concept Assessment Method (FCAM), instrument designed to measure family concept, the sum of a person's values, attitudes, and feelings regarding his or her family. Discusses FCAM reliability, administration and scoring, and clinical utility. Concludes that at least two measures (family congruence and family satisfaction scores) may…

Discusses several statistical and substantive criteria that can be used to choose between parametric and nonparametric tests. Presents a non-parametric test capable of testing a number of statistical hypotheses using existing computer packages. Provides recommendations encouraging researchers to routinely use nonparametric tests in their data…

Describes Family System Test (FAST) as improvement over other figure placement techniques which offers assessment procedure that measures both cohesion and power, assesses several family levels, allows for interpretation and comparison of individual and collective perceptions, and yields more complex view of family dynamics by providing…

Using a factorially complex test on a highly homogeneous population is explored, and a procedure is demonstrated that can statistically justify using a cognitive test on which Cronbach's alpha is low. The example involves 649 accountants (auditors). Results indicate that unbundling test and sample provides justification for using the data. (SLD)

Presents dialog among David Lester, author of first critical survey of death anxiety measures, developer of scales, and researcher about suicide and fear of death; Donald Templer, Death Anxiety Scale (DAS) creator; and journal editor. Lester and Templer discuss origins, uses, results, limitations, and future of death anxiety scales and research on…

Contends that tests were not used in counseling in the mid-20th century partially as a function of the prevailing view of what constituted science. Questions the 19th-century view of science regarding testing and then moves on to assert that the 21st-century application of tests with clients requires a substantial paradigm shift. (Author/NB)

Reviews four new instruments designed to assess multicultural counseling competence in trainees and practicing professionals: Cross-Cultural Counseling Inventory-Revised; Multicultural Counseling Awareness Scale-Form B; Multicultural Counseling Inventory; and Multicultural Awareness-Knowledge-and-Skills Survey. Posits specific research suggestions…