Psychological Assessment Test Development Process

What are the five steps in the test development process?

1. Test conceptualization 2. Test construction 3. Test try-out 4. Item analysis 5. Test revision

What occurs during the test conceptualization phase?

The idea for a test is conceived, focusing on developing a tool to measure a particular construct.

What is the purpose of item analysis in test development?

To analyze test-taker performance on the test and its items, determining which items are effective, need revision, or should be discarded.

What types of analyses are included in item analysis?

Item reliability, item validity, item discrimination, and item difficulty level.

What is the difference between norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests?

Norm-referenced tests rank individuals against each other, while criterion-referenced tests assess mastery of specific knowledge or skills.

What is the goal of a good item on a norm-referenced achievement test?

High scorers on the test respond correctly, while low scorers tend to answer incorrectly.

What questions should a test developer consider during test conceptualization?

1. What is the test designed to measure? 2. What is the purpose of developing the test? 3. Is there a need for this test? 4. What will be the sample of the test? 5. What should be the test content? 6. What should be the procedure for test administration? 7. What should the ideal format of the test be? 8. Should more than one form of the test be developed? 9. What special training will be required for test users? 10. What type of responses will be required from test takers? 11. Who will benefit from its administration? 12. Is there potential for harm from the test? 13. How will meaning be attributed to scores?

What is the significance of the last question in the test conceptualization phase?

It highlights the difference between norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests in attributing meaning to test scores.

What is involved in the test construction phase?

Drafting items for the test based on the conceptualized idea.

What happens during the test try-out phase?

The first draft of the test is administered to a group of sample test takers.

What is the purpose of the test revision phase?

To create a revised version of the test based on the results of item analysis and further testing.

What is the role of statistical procedures in item analysis?

To assist in making judgments about the quality of test items.

What factors might stimulate the development of a new test?

Emerging social phenomena, patterns of behavior, or the need for improved psychometric soundness of existing tests.

What should be considered regarding the sample of the test?

The characteristics and size of the group that will take the test.

What is the importance of the procedure for test administration?

It ensures that the test is administered consistently and fairly to all test takers.

What is meant by the ideal format of the test?

The structure and layout of the test that best facilitates assessment of the intended construct.

What is the potential harm that can result from test administration?

Negative consequences that may arise from the misuse or misinterpretation of test results.

How can meaning be attributed to scores on tests?

Through the use of norm-referenced or criterion-referenced approaches, depending on the test's purpose.

What is the significance of pilot work in developing criterion-referenced tests?

It involves testing with groups that have different levels of mastery to identify items that effectively discriminate between them.

What is the outcome of the item analysis process?

Decisions on which test items are effective, which need revision, and which should be discarded.

What is the iterative nature of the test development process?

The process involves multiple cycles of testing, analysis, and revision to improve the test.

What is the purpose of a pilot study in test development?

To conduct preliminary research surrounding the creation of a prototype of the test and evaluate whether test items should be included in the final form.

What does the process of scaling involve in test construction?

Setting rules for assigning numbers in measurement and assigning values to different amounts of attributes being measured.

What are the four main types of scales in measurement?

Nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales.

What is an age scale in testing?

A test that measures performance based on the age of the test takers.

What is a grade scale in testing?

A test that measures performance based on the grade level of the test takers.

What is a Stanine scale?

A scale that transforms raw scores into scores ranging from 1 to 9.

What is a Likert scale used for?

To scale attitudes by presenting test takers with five alternative responses, typically on an agree/disagree continuum.

What did Likert conclude about assigning weights in his scale?

Assigning weights of 1 through 5 generally works best.

What is the method of paired comparisons in scaling?

A method where test takers compare pairs of stimuli and select the more appealing one, with scoring based on majority judgment.

What is comparative scaling?

A method that entails judgment of a stimulus in comparison with every other stimulus on the scale.

What is categorical scaling?

A scaling system where stimuli are sorted into two or more categories that differ quantitatively.

What type of data do most scaling methods yield?

Ordinal data.

What is the method of equal-appearing intervals?

A scaling method described by Thurstone used to obtain data presumed to be interval.

What is a Guttman scale?

A scaling method that yields ordinal-level measures with items ranging from weaker to stronger expressions of the attitude being measured.

How is data from a Guttman scale analyzed?

Using scalogram analysis, which involves graphic mapping of a test-taker's response.

What is the significance of pilot work in test development?

It allows for the creation, revision, and deletion of test items before finalizing the test.

Why might pilot research be needed in the future?

Due to the test's requirement for updates and revisions.

What is the role of the test developer during pilot work?

To determine how to best measure the targeted construct.

What is the outcome of completing pilot work?

The process of test construction begins.

What is the main focus of scaling methods in psychological assessment?

To accurately measure attributes and attitudes of test takers.

What is the primary goal of test construction?

To develop a reliable and valid instrument for measuring specific constructs.

What are the three important considerations in item writing for test construction?

1. What range of content should the items cover? 2. Which types of item formats should be employed? 3. How many items should be written?

How many items should the first draft of a standardized test contain compared to the final version?

Approximately twice the number of items that the final version will contain.

What is the purpose of sampling in test construction?

Sampling provides a basis for the content validity of the final version of the test.

What sources can be used for item writing?

1. Personal experience 2. Help from experts 3. Information from the sample to be studied 4. Literature searches

What is a selected response format in test construction?

A response format where the participant has many choices to answer, requiring the selection of one alternative.

What is the item pool in test construction?

The reservoir or well from which items will or will not be drawn for the final version of the test.

What are the two types of item formats?

1. Selected response format 2. Constructed response format

What are the types of selected response formats?

1. Multiple-choice 2. Matching 3. True/false items

What is a constructed response format?

A response format that requires the examinee to provide or create the correct answer rather than just selecting it.

What are the three types of constructed-response items?

1. Completion item 2. Short answer 3. Essay

What does a completion item require from the examinee?

To provide a word or phrase that completes sentences.

What characterizes a good short answer item?

It is written clearly enough that the test taker can respond briefly.

What is an essay item in test construction?

A type of response format in which examinees are asked to describe in detail a single topic.

What is the most common scoring model used in test construction?

The cumulative model.

What should the test developer consider regarding the purpose of the test?

Variables such as the purpose of the test and the number of examinees to be tested at one time.

How can interviews contribute to item development?

Interviews with experts and targeted industry members help collate understanding around the subject to be measured.

Why is it advisable to write more items than needed for the final version?

Revisions may eliminate items, so having extra ensures adequate sampling of the domain.

What is the goal of item writing in standardized tests?

To create items that accurately measure the construct intended.

What is the significance of the item pool in test development?

It determines which items are selected for the final version of the test.

What is the role of literature searches in item writing?

They provide valuable information and insights for developing test items.

What is the importance of the number of examinees in test format decisions?

It influences the choice of response format to ensure effective assessment.

What is a good practice for ensuring the psychometric quality of a test?

Conducting revisions based on the initial item pool to improve item quality.

What is the underlying concept of the scoring model discussed in the notes?

The higher the score on the test, the higher the ability or trait being measured.

What is the purpose of the class model in scoring?

It allows test takers' responses to earn credit toward placement in a particular class or category with others who have similar score patterns.

What is ipsative scoring?

Ipsative scoring compares a test taker's score on one scale within a test with another scale within the same test.

What is the first step after laying the groundwork for a test?

Conducting a test tryout.

How many subjects are recommended for a test tryout?

At least five subjects, preferably as many as ten subjects for every one item on the test.

What conditions should be replicated during a test tryout?

Conditions should be similar to those under which standardized tests will be administered, including instructions, time limits, and atmosphere.

What are the characteristics of a good test item?

A good test item should be valid, reliable, help discriminate among test takers, and be answered correctly by high scorers and incorrectly by low scorers.

What is item analysis?

Item analysis involves statistical procedures to select the best items from a pool of tryout items.

What tools are used in item analysis?

An index of item difficulty, item-validity index, item-reliability index, and index of item discrimination.

What is the item-difficulty index (p)?

The percentage of test takers that got the item correct; for example, if 50 out of 100 test takers answered correctly, p would be .5.

What is the role of qualitative items analysis?

To obtain valuable information on how the test could be improved through non-quantitative methods like questionnaires or discussions.

What is a reliable test?

A test that produces consistent results over repeated administrations.

What does it mean for a test to be valid?

A valid test measures what it is intended to measure.

What is the significance of a good test item discriminating between high and low scorers?

It indicates that the item effectively differentiates between those who understand the material and those who do not.

What happens after the first draft of a test is administered?

The test developer analyzes test scores and responses to individual items.

Why is it important to have a representative group for the test tryout?

To ensure that the test is appropriate for the intended population and to gather accurate feedback.

What is the relationship between item difficulty and test taker performance?

Items that high scorers get right are considered good, while those they do not get right may not be good items.

What is the purpose of using statistical procedures in item analysis?

To select the best items from a pool of tryout items based on their performance.

How can qualitative analysis complement quantitative item analysis?

It provides insights and suggestions for improvement based on test takers' experiences.

What is the implication of an item that low scorers on the test get right?

It may indicate that the item is not a good measure of the construct being assessed.

What is the goal of conducting a test tryout?

To refine the test items and ensure their effectiveness before final administration.

What does 'p' denote in item difficulty?

'p' is used to denote item difficulty, with a subscript indicating the item number, e.g., p1 for item 1.

What does the item-reliability index indicate?

It indicates the internal consistency of a test; a higher index reflects greater internal consistency.

What statistical tool is used to determine if test items measure the same thing?

Factor analysis is used to determine whether items on a test measure the same construct.

What is the purpose of the item-validity index?

It provides an indication of the degree to which a test measures what it claims to measure, with a higher index indicating greater criterion-related validity.

What does the item-discrimination index (d) indicate?

It indicates how well an item separates high scorers from low scorers; a higher value of d means better discrimination.

How is a good item defined in a multiple-choice test?

A good item is one that most high scorers answer correctly while most low scorers answer incorrectly.

What is the analysis of item alternatives?

It determines whether distractors (incorrect but plausible answers) are chosen more by low scorers than by high scorers.

What do item characteristic curves (ICC) represent?

ICC is a graphic representation of item difficulty and discrimination.

How does the slope of an ICC relate to item discrimination?

The steeper the slope, the greater the item discrimination.

What does an easy item do to the ICC?

An easy item shifts the ICC to the left along the ability axis, indicating many will likely get it correct.

What does a difficult item do to the ICC?

A difficult item shifts the ICC to the right, indicating fewer will likely answer it correctly.

What should a responsible test developer address regarding guessing?

They should include explicit instructions about guessing in the test manual and provide scoring instructions for omitted items.

What does item fairness refer to?

It refers to the degree to which a test item is unbiased, ensuring equal probability of passing regardless of race, social class, sex, or background.

What is the purpose of test revision?

Test revision aims to eliminate or rewrite items based on item-analysis information to improve test quality.

What might a test developer do if many items are too easy?

They may purposefully include some more difficult items to balance the test.