Search

A statistical model is given for representing the several components of variability present in measurements (e.g., DMFS scores) given by examiners to patients. Methods for making inferences about the intraclass correlation coefficient of reliability are presented and illustrated on a real set of data. The proper analysis of data from a reliability study is shown to depend on the planned design and analysis of the clinical or field trial to be conducted following the reliability trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk taking on objective examinations (rtooe) is defined as guessing when the examinee is aware of a penalty for incorrect responses (Slakter, 1967). Since rtooe measures can be obtained from Ss ostensibly taking aptitude or achievement tests, they provide psychologists with useful disguised measures of risk taking. Prior studies have indicated that rtooe is related to dominance-submission (Votaw, 1936), maladjustment (Sherriffs and Boomer, 1954), vocational choice (Ziller, 1957), curriculum choice (Slakter and Cramer, 1969), and perception of risk in military situations (Torrance and Ziller, 1957). Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that examinees low in rtooe tend to be penalized on test score (Hammerton, 1965; Sherriffs and Boomer, 1954; Slakter, 1968a; Slakter, 1968b; Votaw, 1936). These latter studies have shown that when Ss low in rtooe are forced to respond to all items, their average test score increases even though the usual penalty for incorrect responses is applied. Hence, we have evidence that rtooe confounds the aptitude or achievement being measured by the examination, and therefore rtooe concerns individuals involved with educational measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article discusses research on dental caries and the effectiveness of preventive dentistry. The article reports on clinical studies conducted to examine the prevention of oral disease in terms of the availability of dental care and oral hygiene. This evaluation of preventive dentistry involved examining the prevalence of dental caries and their treatment in communities for adults and children. Information is also provided on hygiene education and products, as well as on behavior modification and the evaluation of the study.

Within- and between-examiner reliability estimates were considered for standardization data. However, within-examiner stability was demonstrated to be the important measure of examiner consistency in the clinical trial because it directly affects the precision of the study. Finally, an argument is also made against the use of reversal rates in the assessment of examiner consistency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]