(8) ASSUMPTIONS IN TESTING AND ASSESSMENT AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS

Trait

any distinguishable, relatively enduring way in which one individual varies from another

Psychological Traits

intelligence, specific intellectual abilities, cognitive style, adjustment, attitude, sexual orientation and preferences, psychopathology, specific-, and general personality traits

Psychological Traits

Exist only as construct (an informed, scientific concept developed to describe or explain behavior)

Psychological Traits

• Overt behavior

• Relatively enduring (not 100% expected to be manifested)

State

distinguish one person from another person but relatively less enduring

State

Situation-dependent

State

One individual varies from another

Assumption 1: Psychological Traits and States Exists

Traits and State

Assumption 2: Psychological Traits and States can be Quantified and Measured

Test developers has provided test users with a clear operational definition of the construct under study

Assumption 2: Psychological Traits and States can be Quantified and Measured

Test developers considered the type of item content that would provide insight into it

Assumption 2: Psychological Traits and States can be Quantified and Measured

Appropriate ways to score the test and interpret the result

Cumulative Scoring

the more test taker responds in a particular direction as keyed by the test manual as correct or consistent with particular trait, the higher the test taker is presumed to be on the targeted ability or trait

Domain Sampling

sample behavior (test items) from all possible behaviors (items) that could conceivably be indicative of a particular construct

Assumption 3: Test-Retest Behavior Predicts Non-Test Related Behavior

The task in some tests mimics the actual behaviors that the test user is attempting to understand

Assumption 3: Test-Retest Behavior Predicts Non-Test Related Behavior

Obtained sample of behavior is typically used to make predictions about future behavior

Postdict It

estimate or suppose something which took place in the past; to conjecture something that occurred beforehand

Predict

say or estimate what (a specific thing) will happen in the future or will be consequence of something

Assumption 4: Test and Other Measurement Techniques have Strengths and Weaknesses

Competent test users understand a great deal about the test they use as well as appreciate the limitations of the test

Error

something that is more than expected; a long-standing assumption that factors other than what a test attempts to measure will influence performance on the test

Error Variance

component of a test score that occur unexpectedly

Potential sources of error variance

• Assessors

• Measuring instruments

• Random error

Assumption 6: Testing and Assessment can be Conducted in a Fair and Unbiased Manner

Sensitized test developers and users to the societal demand for fair tests used in fair manner

Assumption 6: Testing and Assessment can be Conducted in a Fair and Unbiased Manner

Source of fairness-related problems: test users who attempt to use a particular tests with people whose background and experience are different from the background and experience from whom the test was intended

Assumption 7: Testing and Assessment Benefit Society

Need for instruments to diagnose educational difficulties, neuropsychological impairments, and screen for employment recruits

Assumption 1: Psychological Tests Measure What They Purport to Measure or Predict What They are Intended to Predict

also called as “test validity”

Assumption 2: An Individual’s Behavior, and therefore Test Scores, will typically remain Stable Over Time

also called “test–retest reliability”

Assumption 3: Individuals Understand Test Items the Same Way

For example, when asked to respond “true” or “false” to a test item such as “I am almost always healthy,” we must assume that all test takers interpret “almost always” similarly

Assumption 4: Individuals Will Report Accurately About Themselves

E.g., about their personalities, about their likes and dislikes

Assumption 5: Individuals Will Report Honestly their Thoughts and Feelings

Even if people are able to report correctly about themselves, they may choose not to do so

Assumption 5: Individuals Will Report Honestly their Thoughts and Feelings

Sometimes people respond how they think the tester wants them to respond, or they lie so that the outcome benefits them

Assumption 6: The test score an individual receives is equal to his or her true score plus some error, and this error may be attributable to the test itself, the examiner, the examinee, or the environment

ASSUMPTIONS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS