Test Scores and What They Mean

by Lyman, Howard B.

• ISBN13: 9780205175390
• ISBN10: 0205175392
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-10-27
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

This fact-filled, authoritative introduction to psychological and educational testing equips new practitioners with an overview of how to interpret and use test scores effectively. With more coverage on the ethical considerations in test usage, this edition of this common-sense approach to using test data offers plain language analysis of the theory and implications of tests. It stresses the importance of the need for people, and not just computers, to be involved in the interpretation of test results. New practitioners and educators who need an easy-to-use guide to interpreting test scores and data.

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii
ONE Learning About Test Scores	1	(8)
Testing Today	3	(1)
No More Stalling!	4	(1)
Now Is the Time for Learning	5	(1)
A Pretest	5	(1)
Answers to Pretest Questions	5	(4)
TWO Basic Attributes of the Test	9	(11)
Validity	9	(4)
Face Validity	10	(1)
Content Validity (Logical Validity)	10	(1)
Criterion-Related Validity (Empirical Validity)	11	(1)
Factors Influencing Criterion-Related Validity	11	(2)
Construct Validity	13	(1)
Reliability	13	(6)
Lyman's Five Dimensions of Reliability	14	(3)
Interrelationship of Sources of Error Variance	17	(1)
Standard Error of Measurement	17	(1)
Factors Affecting Reliability	17	(1)
Comparing Validity and Reliability	18	(1)
Usability	19	(1)
THREE The Language of Testing	20	(11)
Maximum-Performance Tests	21	(2)
Intelligence Tests	21	(1)
Aptitude Tests	22	(1)
Achievement Tests	22	(1)
Typical-Performance Tests	23	(3)
Criterion Keying	24	(1)
Forced-Choice Items	24	(1)
Ambiguity of Items	25	(1)
Objective-Subjective-Projective Response	26	(1)
Select-Response--Supply-Response	26	(1)
Written-Oral-Performance Tests	27	(1)
Standardized-Informal Tests	27	(1)
Speed-Power Tests	27	(1)
Group-Individual Tests	28	(1)
Verbal-Nonverbal Tests	28	(1)
Culture Fair	29	(1)
How to Tell	29	(1)
This Book	30	(1)
FOUR What's New in Testing Today?	31	(8)
Computers and Testing	31	(2)
Criterion-Referenced Measurement	33	(1)
Evaluation of Criterion-Referenced Testing	34	(1)
Test-Item Banks	34	(1)
Adaptive Testing	34	(1)
Latent Trait Scaling	35	(1)
Competency and Accountability	35	(1)
What Is Wrong?	36	(1)
Outcome-Based Education	37	(1)
Exceptional People: Those with Language and Physical Disabilities	37	(1)
Portfolios	38	(1)
New All Over Again?	38	(1)
Not Only in the United States	38	(1)
FIVE Social Responsibility and Testing	39	(10)
Tests Do Not Measure Innate Ability (Only)	40	(1)
Intelligence Tests Do Not Measure Creativity	41	(1)
People Use Tests to Label Children as Morons, etc.	42	(1)
Standardized Tests Favor the Glib and Penalize the Thoughtful	43	(1)
Tests Invade Privacy	43	(2)
Tests Give Changing Results	45	(1)
Tests Are Unfair	45	(2)
Lake Wobegon Effect	46	(1)
Tests Are Misused and Misinterpreted	47	(2)
SIX A Few Statistics	49	(22)
Introduction	49	(4)
Frequency Distribution	50	(2)
The Histogram	52	(1)
Frequency Polygon	53	(1)
Descriptive Statistics	53	(10)
Measures of Position (Other than Central Tendency)	54	(1)
Measures of Central Tendency (Averages)	55	(2)
Comparison of the Central Tendency Measures	57	(1)
Measures of Variability	57	(2)
Measures of Covariability	59	(4)
The Normal Probability Curve	63	(1)
Points to Know	63	(1)
Inferential Statistics	64	(4)
Standard Errors	65	(3)
Expectancy Tables	68	(2)
An Omission and an Explanation	70	(1)
SEVEN Information About Tests	71	(17)
Test Catalogs	71	(1)
Test Publishers	72	(1)
Test Manuals	73	(14)
Rationale	74	(1)
Descriptions of the Test	74	(1)
Purposes of the Test	74	(1)
Development of the Test	74	(1)
Directions for Administration	75	(1)
Directions for Scoring	75	(1)
Reliability Data	76	(1)
Validity Data	76	(1)
Norms and Norms Tables	77	(9)
Interpretation of the Test	86	(1)
Profiles	86	(1)
References	87	(1)
Don't Overlook Your Personal Computer	87	(1)
EIGHT Derived Scores	88	(33)
A Classification Scheme	88	(7)
Discussion of the Classification Scheme	89	(6)
The Scores	95	(1)
Type I: Comparison with an "Absolute Standard," or Content Difficulty	95	(2)
Type I A: Percentage Correct	95	(1)
Type I B: Letter Grades (Sometimes)	96	(1)
Type II: Inter-Individual Comparisons	97	(19)
Type II A: Inter-Individual Comparison Considering Mean and Standard Deviation	97	(4)
Type II B: Inter-Individual Comparison Considering Rank	101	(11)
Type II C: Inter-Individual Comparison Considering Range	112	(1)
Type II D: Inter-Individual Comparison Considering Status of Those Making Same Score	112	(4)
Type III: Intra-Individual Comparisons	116	(2)
Type III A: Ratio IQ (Intelligence Quotient)	116	(1)
Type III B: Intellectual Status Index	117	(1)
Type III C: Educational Quotients	117	(1)
Type III D: Accomplishment Quotients	117	(1)
Type IV: Assorted Arbitrary Bases	118	(1)
Type IV A: Nonmeaningful Scaled Scores	118	(1)
Type IV B: Long-Range Equi-Unit Scales	118	(1)
Type IV C: Deviation IQ (Otis-Style)	119	(1)
A Final Word	119	(2)
NINE Test Profiles	121	(7)
General Profiles	124	(1)
The Good Profile	124	(2)
Significant Differences in Profile Points	126	(1)
Profile Analysis	126	(2)
TEN Don't Forget Common Sense	128	(5)
Institutional and Individual Decisions	130	(1)
Some Common Mistakes	131	(1)
Other Sources, Too!	131	(2)
ELEVEN What Can We Say?	133	(11)
Who Is Entitled to Test Information?	134	(2)
The Examinee	134	(1)
Parents of Minors	134	(1)
Agency Policy	134	(1)
Schools and Colleges	135	(1)
Professional Colleagues	135	(1)
Personnel	135	(1)
In Conversation	136	(1)
Communicating the Results	136	(6)
To a Trained Professional Worker	136	(1)
To a Professional Person Untrained in Testing	137	(1)
To a Mature Examinee	138	(2)
To a Child	140	(2)
To Parents	142	(1)
High and Low	142	(1)
In Summary	143	(1)
TWELVE Closing Remarks	144	(5)
Things to Keep in Mind	144	(2)
Know the Test	144	(1)
Know the Norms	144	(1)
Know the Score	145	(1)
Know the Background	145	(1)
Communicate Effectively	145	(1)
Use the Test	145	(1)
Use Caution	145	(1)
Experts Still Needed	146	(2)
Go Ahead and Try!	148	(1)
Appendix	149	(34)
Glossary of Terms	150	(12)
Selected Test Publishers	162	(2)
Bibliography	164	(3)
Code of Professional Responsibilities in Educational Measurement	167	(9)
Conversion Table	176	(7)
Index	183