Course Description
Application of statistical models to data from educational and psychological tests, including test-score and scaling traditions. Statistical treatment of reliability and validity; interpretation of results through computer analyses. Exploration of classical test, generalizability, item response theories, and factor analysis. Reliability, validity, fairness (based on new Test Standards) are examined.
Athena Title
Theories of Edu Measurement
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in ERSH 8610E
Prerequisite
ERSH 8320 or ERSH 8320E
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The primary objective of the course is to sharpen the skill, sophistication, and intuition of the student in the interpretation of educational and psychological test data, and in the construction and use of tests as instruments of educational and psychological theory and as tools in the practical problems of selection, evaluation, and guidance. Specific Objectives: 1. To recognize the problems in the measurement of psychological constructs and to understand the role of test theory in research. 2. To interpret basic descriptive statistical information. 3. To know the levels of measurement scales and the three approaches to scaling. 4. To understand the steps of test construction and the various item formats for aptitude tests and attitude inventories. 5. To compute descriptive statistics for dichotomous and nondichotomous variables. 6. To know the classical true score model and reliability. 7. To distinguish methods for estimating reliability and recognize which method is most appropriate for given situations. 8. To distinguish three major types of validation studies. 9. To recognize the use of multiple regression and discriminant analysis in a validation study. 10. To know the steps of factor analysis and to interpret the results of factor analysis. 11. To know the steps of an item analysis study and to understand item analysis results. 12. To know the parameters of the item characteristic curve under item response theory. 13. To understand correction for omitting and guessing and to know the rationale for formula scoring.
Topical Outline
Introduction to Test Theory Statistical Concepts for Test Theory Introduction to Scaling Process of Test Construction Test Scores as Composites Reliability and the Classical True Score Model Procedures for Estimating Reliability Introduction to Validity Statistical Procedures for Prediction and Classification Factor Analysis Item Analysis Item Response Theory Correcting for Guessing and Other Scoring Methods
Syllabus