Considers the existence of halo effects in individuals' evaluations of target communicators across different dimensions. Notes that halo effects result from raters' inability to discriminate among conceptually distinct and theoretically independent aspects of a target's behavior. Discusses current conceptions of halo error and suggests several…

Alerts communication researchers to potential errors stemming from the use of SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) to obtain estimates of eta squared in analysis of variance (ANOVA). Strives to clarify issues concerning the development and appropriate use of eta squared and partial eta squared in ANOVA. Discusses the reporting of…

Why a computer error occurred is considered by analyzing the binary system and decimal fractions. How the computer stores numbers is then described. Knowledge of the mathematics behind computer operation is important if one wishes to understand and have confidence in the results of computer calculations. (MNS)

Investigates the written syntax of 81 college-able individuals demonstrating a specific learning disability. Supports a control impairment hypothesis, predicting that sentence production errors will be of the same kind as found in the language of writers demonstrating no handicapping conditions. Investigates the correlation of specific cognitive…

Several extended caution indices (ECIs) have been introduced earlier as a link between two distinctly different approaches: one based on standard statistics and the other, a model-based approach, utilizing item response theory (IRT). Expected values and variance of some ECIs are derived and their statistical properties are compared and discussed.…

Results indicate that for the task of generating counterexamples to invalid syllogisms, a primary source of difficulty is the first step of forming the negation of the conclusion, especially if the conclusion is a "Some are not" statement. When this step is done for the subject, most of the errors disappear. (Author/BJG)

Concludes that subjects are misled by errors they make on earlier items in cloze tests. (RL)

Based upon the concept that the psychological meaning of a syllogism depends upon the order of the premises in addition to the formal logic expressed, the analogical theory of the interpretation of syllogisms is developed, experimentally tested, and implemented as a computer program. (CTM)

Evaluated the technical aspects of three Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) administrations of five psychology graduate students using the WISC-R Administration Observational Checklist (WAOC) to evaluate interrater agreement. Students performed significantly better on the second than on the first observation, with…

In this study, 35 students in two sections of a second remedial mathematics course for technical majors were given lectures with and without intentional errors. Achievement in the non-error group was higher, but evaluation scores for teachers making errors were higher. (MNS)

Unsuccessful programing attempts by university business students in introductory COBOL classes were analyzed to determine most frequently occurring syntactical errors. Results indicate the most common errors were use of undeclared data in Procedure Division, missing periods, misspelled reserved words, missing hyphens, and use of wrong margin area.…

The relation between incorrect option choice and estimated ability level was examined for two widely used aptitude tests, the Scholastic Aptitude Test, and the Graduate Record Examination. Incorrect option choice was found to be related to estimated ability for many items. Implications of these findings are briefly discussed. (Author)

Discusses problems and patterns in student journalistic writing. (HOD)

Data indicate that relatively advanced science-oriented college students can experience serious difficulties in symbolizing certain meaningful relationships with algebraic equations. Reversal errors in formulating equations were seen to stem from two main sources: (1) a syntactic word order matching process and (2) a semantic static comparison…

Two studies involving 195 undergraduates investigated memory errors occurring when the context standard used in judging target behaviors differs from the category norm standard available when behaviors are recalled. Results support a "natural" tendency to use the current categorical meaning of a judgment to reconstruct the referent of…