Test homogeneity and internal consistency reliability indices were developed on the basis of theoretical considerations of properties of hierarchical structures of data matrices. This reconceptualization, in terms of ordinal test theory, has potential for explication of the mutual relationship of test reliability and homogeneity. (TJH)

Study compares Wechsler (WISC-R) profiles of special-education students to seven core types distinguished primarily by levels of global ability. More than 96% of these students were found to be similar to one of the core types considered to be common variants of normal intellectual ability. Based on data, it is recommended that "no way"…

Provides a general mathematical framework is provided that can be specialized to four different reliability coefficients. Consideration of this general framework makes it easier to convey to students the individual character of the formulations of reliability and the extent of their underlying similarity. (SLD)

This paper explains how different factors affect classical reliability estimates, such as test-retest, interrater, internal consistency, and equivalent forms coefficients. The limitations of classical test theory are explored, and the advantages of generalizability theory are discussed. Concrete examples are used. (SLD)

Evaluated coefficient alpha under violations of two classical test theory assumptions: essential tau-equivalence and uncorrelated errors through simulation. Discusses the interactive effects of both violations with true and error scores. Provides empirical evidence of the derivation of M. Novick and C. Lewis (1993). (SLD)

Background: Validity is a central concern in any assessment, though this has often not been made explicit in the UK assessment context. This article applies current validity theorising, largely derived from American formulations, to national curriculum assessments in England. Purpose: The aim is to consider validity arguments in relation to the…

A new test of Advanced Placement Physics, explicitly designed to balance both content and cognitive-processing skills, was developed using Sternberg's theory of successful intelligence. The test was administered to 281 AP Physics students from 10 schools during the 2006-2007 school year. Six empirically distinguishable profiles of strengths and…

This study examines Linguistic Competence in English Language (LCE) as a general indicator of Communicative Competence. A test and a questionnaire were administered to 1838 undergraduate freshmen from five major institutes of higher education in Aguascalientes, Mexico. The results of the test are analysed in their association with main features of…

The theory of score validity has undergone several revisions within the measurement community. The current consensus among professionals is a rejection of the trinitarian doctrine (J. P. Guion, 1980) of score validity and the recognition of a unified view that includes social consequences of test interpretation and use. While some aspects of the…

Generalizability theory provides a technique for accurately estimating the reliability of measurements. The power of this theory is based on the simultaneous analysis of multiple sources of error variances. Equally important, generalizability theory considers relationships among the sources of measurement error. Just as multivariate inferential…

The purpose of this essay is to describe the principles of educational measurement proposed by B. Wood during the 1920s in his dissertation, written under the direction of E. L. Thorndike, and later published as "Measurement in Higher Education" (1923). These principles were selected because they illustrate one of the earliest and most complete…

An empirical validation of the 114 Worker Trait Groups of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles was performed by comparing the factor structure of the worker trait components of the 114 WTG's with the factor structure of a random sample of 800 of the 4000 jobs used as the basis for DOT. (Author)

A simple statistical test procedure for assessing questionnaire response validity is proposed. The technique assesses the joint probability that frequently reported behaviors are not reported and infrequently reported behaviors are reported. (Author)

The standard conception of test validity which makes philosophical assumptions about the nature of scientific inquiry is discussed. The general kinds of questions and issues which psychologists and educators should address in order to develop a complete theory of test validity that is philosophically sound are outlined. (MT)

Four types of metric scales are distinguished: absolute, ratio, difference, and interval. A general coefficient of association for two variables of the same scale type is developed which reduces to specific coefficients of association for each scale type. (NSF)