Negative coefficients of reliability, sometimes returned by the standard formulae for estimation of the internal-consistency reliability, are neither theoretically nor numerically correct. Alternate strategies for test development in this special case are suggested.
Attempts to maximize the motivation of individuals performing a task frequently involve the use of both knowledge of results and a goal against which S's performance is compared. Although knowledge of results is a motivator of demonstrated significance (6), few systematic studies have investigated the combined motivational effects of knowledge of results and goal-setting manipulations.The studies of Mace ( 5) and Bay-ton (1) are typical. Mace found that a moving standard based on previous performance was more effective in a computational task than simple instructions to "do your best." Both of these techniques were superior to a fixed goal set by E. The least effective technique was simple instructions to surpass previous performance.Working with a simple, manipulative task, Bayton found that four motivational techniques could be ranked from most effective to least effective as follows: (1) S sets own goal and tells E what it is; (2) S sets own goal but does not tell E what it is; (3) S is given knowledge of results with no other comment; (4) S is told nothing concerning his previous performance. Statistical analysis revealed that the only significant differences were between Methods 1 and 4 and between Methods 2 and 4. * This method of goal setting is equivalent to the manipulation followed in level of aspiration experiments (7).
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