The suitability of the beta binomial test model for criterion referenced testing was investigated, first by considering whether underlying assumptions are realistic, and second, by examining the robustness of the model. Results suggest that the model may have practical value. (Author/RD)

Decision theory is a useful method for assessing the effectiveness of the components of a course placement system. The effectiveness of placement tests or other variables in identifying underprepared students is described by the conditional probability of success in a standard course. Estimating the conditional probability of success is discussed.…

Reviews the 1974 Standards, an updating serving as a guide to test making and publishing, and training of persons for these endeavors. (DEP)

A literature review and a proposed means of measuring face validity, a test's appearance of being valid, are presented. Empirical evidence from examinees' perceptions of a college entrance examination support the reliability of measuring face validity. (GDC)

For the purpose of obtaining data to use in test development, multiple matrix sampling plans were compared to examinee sampling plans. Data were simulated for examinees, sampled from a population with a normal distribution of ability, responding to items selected from an item universe. (Author/LMO)

In an attempt to restore the symmetry and balance between the study of person and item variation, this paper presents a novel methodology construct specification equations, which allows one to ascertain from the lawful behavior of items what an instrument is measuring. (Author/PN)

Preliminary factor analyses of predictor tests in advantaged and disadvantaged groups is recommended as a way of forming a priori expectations concerning validities of the predictors to guide both use and research. (Authors)

The purpose of this paper was to provide an empirical test of the hypothesis that elimination scores are more reliable and valid than classical corrected-for-guessing scores or weighted-choice scores. The evidence presented supports the hypothesized superiority of elimination scoring. (Author)

A conception of invalidity as bias is related to content validity for standardized achievement tests. A method of estimating content bias for each of three content domains (a priori, curricular, and instructional) based on the specification of a content taxonomy is also proposed. (Author/CM)

This study investigates the construct validity of profiles of high school students' (n=92) writing competence obtained from tasks designed to be parallel on all dimensions but discourse mode (expository or narrative) and response mode (direct or indirect). (Author/PN)

Reasonable and practical solutions to two major problems confronting the developer of any test of educational achievement (what to measure and how to measure it) are proposed, defended, and defined. (Author/PN)

Findings on alternative procedures for evaluating measures of achievement in individual data packages at the National Assessment of Educational Progress are presented with their methodological implications. The need for secondary analysts to be aware of the organization of the data, and positive and negative features are discussed. (Author/CM)

This review of issues about correcting for attenuation concludes that the basic difficulty lies in being able to identify and equate sources of variance in estimates of validity and reliability. Recommendations are proposed for cautious use of correction for attenuation. (Author/CM)

A structure for describing different approaches to testing is generated by identifying five dimensions along which tests differ: test uses, item generation, item revision, assessment of precision, and validation. These dimensions are used to profile tests of reading comprehension. Only norm-referenced achievement tests had an inference system…

Free response and machine-scorable versions of a test called Formulating Hypotheses were compared with respect to construct validity. Results indicate that the different forms involve different cognitive processes and measure different qualities. (Author/JKS)