This brief review of research examines the mail questionnaire as a research tool. Major topics reported are the advantages and disadvantages of mail surveys response rates, and questionnaire construction. Among the advantages reported are ease of distribution and tabulation, the possibility of a large sample and geographic range, low cost,…

A study was conducted to measure the facility of kindergarten pupils in using optically scannable response sheets. Three types of response boxes were tested. It was concluded that pupils are able to handle a ten-item two-sided test with minimal practice and directions. (Author)

Two forms of an undergraduate examination were constructed. Tests varied with respect to item truth value (true, false) and method of phrasing (positive, negative). Negatively stated items were more difficult but not more discriminating than positively stated items. False items were not more difficult but were more discriminating than true items.…

The taxonomy of test wiseness constructed by Millman and others is discussed. Other aspects of test wiseness are reviewed, such as additional influencing factors, manifestations, theoretical approaches, correlates, measures, and methods of minimizing its effects. (MH)

Results of assigning Holland codes to items seems reasonable, and the codes may be used in future item pool revisions to balance item content, to eliminate poorly defined items, and to select items that are perceived identically by females and males. (Author)

A study of the construction and factor validity of the Response to Child Incest Questionnaire, a self-report instrument for assessing commonly reported symptoms of adult survivors of incest, is reported. The instrument's usefulness as a pre- and post-treatment measure and further research needs are discussed. (MSE)

This study tested Deiker's hypothesis that "naysaying" accounts for the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Overcontrolled-Hostility (O-H) scale's ability to discriminate among criminal groups differing in their propensity for violence. It was concluded that the validity of the O-H scale is not dependent on naysaying. (Author)

It was theorized that an answer-until-correct procedure, whereby an examinee marks responses to each multiple-choice question until feedback indicates that the correct answer has been marked, would yield scores of greater reliability and validity than conventional number-right procedure. Two papers and an application exercise for an undergraduate…

Test bias has traditionally been defined in terms of an outside criterion measure of the performance being predicted by the test. In test construction, where criterion-related validity data are usually not collected until after the test is completed, assessment of bias in the absence of outside criteria had become a vital issue. Here, an unbiased…

Explored utility of disguise in structured self-report assessment of psychopathology, using university students. Data indicated that under normal test-taking circumstances, use of disguised test items was not advantageous. This relationship was moderated by several dimensional parameters. Results supported rational strategy of test construction,…

The effect of using separate answer sheets on a standardized test was investigated by administering the test and requiring children to either answer in the test booklet, use an answer sheet without prior practice, or use an answer sheet with practice sessions. Significant effects on test scores are examined. (Author/MT)

The major purpose of the three studies reported here was to investigate possible differences in agreement/disagreement with attitude statements as a function of their type (with regard to positivity/negativity) and personalism. In the first study, 90 students completed scales on energy conservation and on having good study habits. Agreement varied…

Many self-concept measures employ several different scales to which the subject responds in a set order at one sitting. This study examined effects of different testing conditions. The Index of Adjustment and Values (IAV) was administered to 191 graduate students under two different sequences and two time delay conditions. Results indicate…