Empirical Item Research Articles

Predicting College Academic Achievement from TAV Selection System on Fifty Male Elementary Teacher Trainees

The problem was to determine the multiple relationship of theoretical scores obtained from a new non-ability selection system to Spring semester grade-point average. Empirical item analytical procedures were not used but theoretical scoring keys were developed as a modification of Horney's theory of personal make-up reflecting movement Toward, Away, and Versus people.Fifty male elementary teacher trainees comprised the sample.A multiple R of .41 (5% level) was obtained with three theoretical test-scoring dimensions contributing to the total variance.The study demonstrated the feasibility of developing a new test battery of relatively high reliability (.79-.94), using a priori keys based on a modified theory of personal make-up and effecting a significant multiple prediction of an academic achievement criterion.

The development of a scale to measure fear

The development of a scale to measure fear is presented. An empirical item selection procedure was used, and an item analysis was performed. Internal consistency reliability was computed and found to be high. There were significant sex differences for the total score and for several specific items. The Fear Survey Schedule-II (FSS-II) correlated positively with the TMAS, Welsh's A-Scale, and Bendig's Emotionality Scale. A low negative correlation with social desirability was found. Ss who differed in the amount of fearfulness they reported to specific items on the FSS-II were selected for validation studies. Significant differences on measures of fear were found among these Ss when they were presented with stimuli related to their fear. Implications for research were briefly discussed.