Improving the Quality of Research Measures: Lessons From the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing

Session Type: Professional Development Course

Abstract

This course provides knowledge to document and improve the quality of research measures. Based on the latest edition of Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (AERA/APA/NCME, 2014), course content will highlight the importance of measurement quality in research and will particularly highlight standards for validity and fairness and their implications for measure development and/or selection. Course content will draw on examples from the research literature to help course participants understand core principles. Hands-on activities will be provided to help participants apply the Standards to improve the quality of their measures. At the end of the course, participants will be familiar with the content of the Standards and understand and be able to apply those Standards particularly relevant to research measures. Participants will be asked to critique examples of research studies using the Standards and engage in simulated selection/development and validation activities. Prerequisite skills required by the course are a general familiarity with the ideas and vocabulary associated with simple measurement concepts. The target audience for the course is advanced graduate students, early career scholars, and senior researchers and practitioners who are interested in strengthening their understanding of how the Standards can be used to improve their research.

Sub Unit

• Professional Development and Training Committee

Instructors

• Frank C. Worrell, University of California - Berkeley

• Linda L. Cook, Educational Testing Service