A biographical inventory has been used in the selection of students for naval aviation training since World War II, and its validity in predicting their retention-attrition in this training has been well established. This study investigated the constructs underlying the inventory and their relations to students' retention-attrition. A factor…

Development and determination of the construct validity of a scale designed to assess aversion to computers are described. Based on a social learning model emphasizing efficacy, outcome, and reinforcement, the Computer AVersion Scale (CAVS) was developed for use with mental health clients who were high school age and older, as well as mental…

The objective description and identification of variables that meaningfully distinguish reasoning skills couched in written discourse was studied, comparing scores obtained from different perspectives on the same writing samples. A total of 406 writing samples on 2 topics by 203 students who had taken the Graduate Record Examinations, mostly…

This paper investigated the reliability and construct validity of a 30-item scale in measuring the attitudes of teachers in Australia toward the integration of handicapped children into regular schools. The Attitude Toward Mainstreaming Scale, which was designed by Larrivee and Cook (1979), has been used in evaluation studies in the United Sates…

This paper analyzes ways in which the methods used to measure psychological constructs contribute invalidity to measurements. The analysis distinguishes between inadequacies stemming from the behaviors selected for measurement and the harmful effects generated by the measurement operations themselves. (BS)

This study evaluated the validity of the Type A behavior pattern as measured by paper-and-pencil questionnaires. The Jenkins Activity Survey, Framingham Type A Scale, Thurstone Activity Scales, a new bipolar adjective Type A measure, and measures of achievement and nurturance needs were completed by 418 students. (Author/BS)

Based on reanalyses of correlational data obtained from the University of Southern California Aptitudes Research Project, this investigation examined the extent to which two higher order factors of semantic content and symbolic content form Guilford's structure-of-intellect model reflected distinct constructs. (Author/LMO)

The purpose of this study was to examine the construct validity of a classroom communication apprehension scale. Subjects were 196 high school students in Japan. The original English version of a classroom communication apprehension scale (M. R. Neer, 1987) consisted of 20 items representing 2 hypothesized dimensions of classroom communication…

This study evaluated the reliability and construct validity of scores from the "Children's Role Inventory" (A. Potter and D. Williams, 1991). The measure specifies four roles fulfilled by children: Hero, Lost Child, Mascot, and Scapegoat. Theory and some research also suggest that adults continue to interact based on role assignments…

This paper discusses the measurement of unobservable or latent variables of students and how they contribute to learning in an online environment. It also examines the construct validity of two questionnaires: the College Experience Survey and the Computer Experience Study, which both measure different aspects of student attitudes and behavior…

With a construct-centered reliability analytical approach the reliability analysis should crystallize the multi-traits or constructs that the test specialists developed to measure from student performance and then estimate the degree of fit between the theoretical expectations of test developers and the performance exhibited by students. This…

The factor structures of the 10 Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III core subtests were studied with 161 black students receiving special education services. Results provide evidence of a large first principal factor as well as the expected verbal and performance factors. Implications for psychologists are discussed. (SLD)

Explains the use of the construct representation and inference functions of indicators used in construct measurements of self-concept. Illustrates validity and reliability issues with data from 2,114 12th-grade vocational-technical students. (SK)

The convergent validity of the SPAI-C was studied by comparing scores to daily diary ratings of social distress for 10 elementary school children with social phobia, 3 of whom had overanxious disorder, and 10 controls. Results support the ability of the SPAI-C to distinguish social phobic children. (SLD)

A revised 138-item, 13-category version of the "Things I Worry About" Scale was administered to 3983 adolescents in Northern Ireland. Results suggest a slightly modified 13-category structure and provide preliminary evidence of construct validity. The scale also appears to reflect predictable differences in adolescent concerns. (SLD)