Abstract
Reliability estimates of behavioral rating scale ratings are influenced by sample composition and variability. This study describes and documents reliability reporting practices in dissertation studies that have used the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC) since its inception until 2001. Only 9 of 106 studies examined reported reliability for the subpopulation at hand. Most cited reliability scores from the BASC Manual. The lack of reliability score estimates for subpopulations in studies of the BASC has implications for the use of the BASC to help identify culturally diverse students with emotional disorders. The lack of reliability data for behavioral ratings suggests that studies using rating scales as the primary dependent variable may be inherently flawed.