Measurement and Evaluation in Psychology and Education (8e)

In this classic introduction to educational and psychological measurement, Thorndike and Thorndike-Christ provide all of the pertinent information future professionals need to know in order to develop the skills to use test information wisely. Incorporating standard measurement concepts as they apply to both educational and psychological assessments, the new eighth edition continues to provide a technically rigorous treatment of the core issues in measurement in an easy-to-read, easy-to-understand presentation. In preparing students to become independent users of test information, it describes problems in measurement, explains how these problems are approached and solved, surveys a broad range of sources, and provides guidance in how to find, evaluate, and use information about specific tests.

The new eighth edition of Measurement and Evaluation in Psychology and Education includes increased coverage of No Child Left Behind, extended coverage of the role of ethics in tests, and a new chapter on advanced topics in testing. Part Two of the book has been reorganized to clarify concepts and the book as a whole has been streamlined and updated to include the most current research and testing information.

Intended for use in undergraduate or graduate level introductory courses in psychological and educational measurement, Measurement and Evaluation in Psychology and Education focuses on basic issues in measurement provides a general overview that is not overly specialized.

PART ONE  TECHNICAL ISSUES

CHAPTER 1   Fundamental Issues in Measurement    1

CHAPTER 2   Measurement and Numbers    23

CHAPTER 3   Giving Meaning to Scores    66

CHAPTER 4   Qualities Desired in Any Measurement Procedure: Reliability    118

CHAPTER 5   Qualities Desired in Any Measurement Procedure: Validity    154

CHAPTER 6   Practical Issues Related to Testing    200

PART TWO  TESTING AND MEASUREMENT DEVICES

CHAPTER 7   Assessment and Educational Decision Making    221

CHAPTER 8   Assessing Special Populations: Psychometric, Legal and Ethical Issues 247

CHAPTER 9   Principles of Test Development 275

CHAPTER 10  Performance and Product Evaluation    319

CHAPTER 11  Attitudes and Rating Scales   338

CHAPTER 12  Aptitudes and Rating Scales 374

CHAPTER 13  Standardized Achievement Tests 424

CHAPTER 14  Interests, Personality and Adjustment 443

• NEW — Increased coverage of No Child Left Behind and High Stakes Testing with a discussion of the pros and cons of these practices that helps readers to understand the changing world of measurement and evaluation in education.
• NEW — More prominent and extended coverage of ethics in the use of tests with particular application to individuals with disabilities and English language learners.
• NEW — A chapter on Advanced Topics in Testing that gives a readable and more in-depth discussions of Item Response Theory, Factor Analysis, Differential Item Functioning and Generalizability Theory. This chapter also now contains more detailed descriptions of four widely used analytical methods in measurement. Each discussion in this chapter supplements coverage in the main text and provides a guide to additional resources.
• NEW — Part 2 has been reorganized to introduce the principles of instrument use and construction before examining specific instruments.

• "Making the Computer Do It" feature walks students through using SPSS and Excel to perform basic statistical analysis, helping students to understand statistical and measurement concepts without having to do manual computations.
• A Straightforward introduction to the logic of Item Response Theory (IRT) explains the rationale behind this complex concept clearly and simply to readers, making this fundamental but often confusing tenet of measurement truly understandable.
• An in-depth chapter on assessing individuals with disabilities and English language learners that focuses on the most current "best practice" recommendations. This chapter illustrates the benefits and challenges of education's current emphasis on inclusion and discusses key issues related to assessment of students for whom English is not their dominant language.
• A separate chapter on practical issues related to using tests, including how and where to find information about tests, provides students with step-by-step guidance on how to administer and evaluate tests and points students toward reliable sources of information on a wide range of tests and testing tools. This is the only text of its kind to include such testing information.
• Numerous examples of tests items from all the major tests that a professional will encounter familiarize readers with test contents and help students to come to a deeper and more concrete understanding of individual tests and what they really measure.
• Exercises at the end of every chapter give students an opportunity to apply chapter concepts for review and retention and allows them to practice using the measurement and interpretation techniques that they have just learned.