This book helps readers apply testing and measurement theories. Featuring 22 self-standing modules, instructors can pick and choose the ones that are most appropriate for their course. Each module features an overview of a measurement issue and a step-by-step application of that theory. Best practices provide recommendations for ensuring the appropriate application of the theory. Practical questions help students assess their understanding of the topic while the examples allow them to apply the material using real data. Two cases in each module depict typical dilemmas faced when applying measurement theory followed by Questions to Ponder to encourage critical examination of the issues noted in the cases. Each module contains exercises some of which require no computer access while others involve the use of SPSS to solve the problem. The book's website houses the accompanying data sets and more. The book also features suggested readings, a glossary of the key terms, and a continuing exercise that incorporates many of the steps in the development of a measure of typical performance.
Updated throughout to reflect recent changes in the field, the new edition also features:
--A new co-author, Michael Zickar, who updated the advanced topics and added the new module on generalizability theory (Module 22).
-Expanded coverage of reliability (Modules 5 & 6) and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (Modules 18 & 19) to help readers interpret results presented in journal articles.
-Expanded Web Resources, Instructors will now find: suggested answers to the book's questions and exercises; detailed worked solutions to the exercises; and PowerPoint slides. Students and instructors can access the SPSS data sets; additional exercises; the glossary; and website references that are helpful in understanding psychometric concepts.
Part 1 provides an introduction to measurement theory and specs for scaling and testing and a review of statistics. Part 2 then progresses through practical issues related to text reliability, validation, meta-analysis and bias. Part 3 reviews practical issues related to text construction such as the development of measures of maximal performance, CTT item analysis, test scoring, developing measures of typical performance, and issues related to response styles and guessing. The book concludes with advanced topics such as multiple regression, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, item response theory (IRT), IRT applications including computer adaptive testing and differential item functioning, and generalizability theory.
Ideal as a text for any psychometrics, testing and measurement, or multivariate statistics course taught in psychology, education, marketing and management, professional researchers in need of a quick refresher on applying measurement theory will also find this an invaluable reference.
"As someone who has frequently taught measurement courses, I am a firm believer that student learning of the material is critically tied to being able to apply the core techniques. This book provides tremendous opportunities for application of fundamental measurement concepts and techniques in all key aspects of the test development and validation process." - Ronald S. Landis, Illinois Institute of Technology, USA
"This is an excellent introduction to psychometrics with a strong hands-on emphasis. The writing is clear and easy to follow. This is an invaluable resource for students new to psychological and educational measurement as well as for instructors looking for solid examples to use in their courses." - Adam Meade, North Carolina State University, USA
"This book offers a view of measurement and measurement practice that goes beyond most books on measurement, which are so analytical that they might well be called "Measurement theory inaction." Highly recommended for anyone interested in views on measurement theory." - Michael James Zyphur, University of Melbourne, Australia
"I love the practical questions, case studies, and exercises. ?The authors are wonderful writers. ... It is accessible to undergraduates and ? graduate students ? I will use it, and I will most definitely recommend it to everyone. ... Practitioners wanting a refresher in measurement would find this valuable." - Lisa Finkelstein, Northern Illinois University, USA
"The target market for this book can be expanded beyond just psychology/education students to include business management students. As someone who teaches research methods to these students, I believe there is a dire need for such measurement texts. ...I am more than happy to adopt it and recommend to my colleagues." - Debi P. Mishra, State University of New York - Binghamton, USA
"It is a very easy book to pick up and read. ? Half of the instructor's battle ... is simply getting the students to read the assigned material. Shultz and Whitney [and Zickar] make it easy to win that battle. ...The students really seem to like it. ...Some of [case studies] are "dead-on" relevant to situations that my students find themselves in. ...It's a great text." - Dennis Devine, Indiana University- Purdue University Indianapolis, USA
