Psychometrics : An Introduction

Summary

'œThe main advantage of the text is a more contemporary and conceptual presentation of the material. I have been looking for a book with this level and focus for some time'Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â -Steven Pulos, University of Northern ColoradoIn Psychometrics: An Introduction, authors R. Michael Furr and Verne R. Bacharach center their presentation of material around a conceptual understanding of psychometric issues, such as validity and reliability, and on purpose rather than procedure, the 'œwhy' rather than the 'œhow to.' Their goal is to introduce psychometric principles at a level that is deeper and more focused than found in introductory undergraduate testing and measurement texts but that is more intuitive than traditionally found in the more technical publications intended for graduate courses. By emphasizing concepts over mathematical proofs and by focusing on practical significance, this book assists students in appreciating not just how measurement problems can be addressed and why it is important to address them.KEY FEATURES- Presents information in a clear, easy-to-read, conversational style: The authors introduce concepts in a way that is accessible to nonprofessionals without sacrifi cing the academic integrity of the material.'¢ Highlights practical applications: Intended to enhance readers' appreciation of the importance of psychometrics, the book provides examples that will resonate with students.'¢ Offers an up-to-date treatment of topics in psychometrics: The book offers readers the most contemporary views of topics in psychometrics available in the nontechnical psychometric literature.'¢ Introduces statistical procedures in the context of their use rather than in a separate chapter: The authors integrate statistics with a discussion of their use as tools to solve particular psychometric problems, encouraging a more complete understanding of both.INTENDED AUDIENCEAppropriate for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses such as Psychometrics, Testing and Measurement, Research Methods, and Experimental Methods across a range of behavioral sciences and education.

Psychometrics and the Importance of Psychological Measurement
Observable Behavior and Unobservable Attributes
Psychological Tests: Definition and Types
Psychometrics
Challenges to Measurement in Psychology
Theme: The Importance of Individual Differences
Scaling
Fundamental Issues and Numbers
Units of Measurement
Additivity and Counting
Four Scales of Measurement
Summary
Suggested Readings
Individual Differences and Correlations
The Nature of Variability
Importance of Individual Differences
Variability and Distribution of Scores
Distribution Shapes and Normal Distributions
Quantifying the Association Between Distributions
Variance of "Composite Scores"
Interpreting Test Scores
Test Norms
Summary
Suggested Readings
Test Dimensionality and Factor Analysis
Test Dimensionality
Factor Analysis: Examining the Dimensionality of a Test
Summary
Suggested Readings
Reliability: Conceptual Basis
Overview of Reliability and Classical Test Theory
Observed Scores, True Scores and Measurement Error
Variances in Observed Scores, True Scores and Error Scores
Four Ways to Think of Reliability
Reliability and the Standard Error of Measurement
Parallel Tests
Summary
Empirical Estimates of Reliability
Alternate Forms Reliability
Test-Retest Reliability
Internal Consistency Reliability
Factors Affecting the Reliability of Test Scores
Sample Homogeneity and Reliability Generalization
Reliability of Difference Scores
Summary
Importance of Reliability
Behavioral Research
Applied Behavioral Practice: Evaluation of an Individual's Test Score
Test Construction and Refinement
Summary
Suggested Readings
Validity: The Conceptual Basis
What is Validity?
Validity Evidence: Test Content
Validity Evidence: Internal Structure of the Test
Validity Evidence: Response Processes
Validity Evidence: Associations with Other Variables
Validity Evidence: Consequences of Testing
Other Perspectives on Validity
Contrasting Reliability and Validity
The Importance of Validity
Summary
Suggested Readings
Validity: Estimating and Evaluating Convergent and Discriminant Validity
Methods for Evaluating Convergent and Discriminant Validity
Factors Affecting a Validity Coefficient
Interpreting a Validity Coefficient
Summary
Suggested Readings
Response Biases
Types of Response Biases
Methods for Coping with Response Biases
Response Biases, Response Sets, and Response Styles
Summary
Suggested Readings
Test Bias
Why Worry about Test Score Bias
Detecting Construct Bias: Internal Evaluation of a Test
Detecting Predictive Bias: External Evaluation of a Test
Summary
Suggested Readings
Generalizability Theory
Multiple Facets of Measurement
Generalizability and Variance Components
G Studies and D Studies
Conducting and Interpreting Generalizability Theory Analysis: A One-facet
Design
Conducting and Interpreting Generalizability Theory Analysis: A Two-facet
Design
Other Measurement Designs
Summary
Footnote
Suggested Readings
Item Response Theory and Rasch Models
Basics of IRT
IRT Measurement Models
An Example of IRT: A Rasch Model
Item and Test Information
Applications of IRT
Summary
Suggested Readings
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

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