Frontiers of Test Validity Theory: Measurement, Causation, and Meaning

by Keith A. Markus, Denny Borsboom

Overview

Now in its second edition, this important book examines test validity in the behavioral, social, and educational sciences by exploring three fundamental problems: measurement, causation and meaning. Psychometric and philosophical perspectives and unresolved issues receive attention, as the authors explore how measurement is conceived from both the classical and modern perspectives.

Split into three accessible sections, the first contrasts theories of measurement as applied to the validity of behavioral science measures, and the second considers causal theories of measurement as well as alternative theories of causation. The final section explores the meaning and interpretation of test scores as it applies to test validity, offering a conceptual overview of the field and its current state. Each carefully revised chapter begins with an overview of key theories and literature, concludes with a list of suggested readings and discussion questions, and features boxes with real-life situations that connect theory to practice. Examples of specific issues include:

• How tests can assess an attribute without measuring it.
• The role of values in test validity.
• Interpreting responses to the same question in different languages.

Researchers, practitioners, and policy makers interested in test validity or developing tests appreciate the book's cutting-edge review of test validity. Focusing on both the underlying concepts, as well as practical challenges of test construction and use, it also serves as a supplement in graduate or advanced undergraduate courses on test validity, psychometrics, testing or measurement taught in psychology, education, sociology, social work, political science, business, criminal justice and other fields. The book does not assume a background in measurement.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781135055851
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/19/2013
Series:	Multivariate Applications Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	360
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Keith A. Markus is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice of The City University of New York (CUNY), USA.

Denny Borsboom is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Surveying the Field of Test Validity Theory

Part I. Measurement

2. Philosophical Theories of Measurement

3. Psychometric Models

4. Open Issues in Measurement Theory and Psychometrics

Part II. Causation

5. Test Scores as Samples: Behavior Domain Theory

6. Causality in Measurement

7. Causation, Correlation, and Reflective Measurement Models

8. Problems in Causation and Validity: Formative Measurement, Networks, and Individual Differences

Part III. Meaning

9. Interpreting Test Responses: Validity, Values, and Evaluation

10. A Model of Test Score Interpretation

11. Open Questions About Test Score Meaning

Part IV. Conclusion

12. An Integrative View of Test Validity

13. Epilogue as Dialog: The Future of Test Validity Theory

Editorial Reviews

"Psychologists Markus and Borsboom have done an excellent job of arguing that validity theory is in serious need of more research. For those in the behavioral sciences who are already well versed in the assessment, this book will provide an invaluable source for understanding why they might want to revisit many of the fundamental assumptions of their field. For less experienced readers, the book may be a steep climb but well worth the effort when taken one step at a time. Summing Up: Highly Recommended. Graduate students, faculty, researchers, professionals." – J.F. Heberle, Albright College, CHOICE Magazine

“It is a formidable achievement to write a book on validity, covering measurement, causation, and meaning, with a discussion from psychometric, philosophical, and practical perspectives. It is why one would want to read this book. It leads to a deep understanding and makes one think beyond common ways of thinking." – Paul De Boeck, Ohio State University, USA & KU Leuven, Belgium

"This book would serve as a seminal resource on validity. It challenges practitioners and the field ... to reflect [on] and identify the salient evidence of one of the most important characteristics that we require of all tests." – Terry Ackerman, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA

"The book will make a very valuable contribution to the field by bringing much of its (often ignored) theoretical underpinnings to light in a…straightforward manner.…[It] will be of great interest to measurement and psychometric researchers, as well as to philosophers of statistics.…It gives important insight into a variety of issues." – Brian Habing, University of South Carolina, USA

"The authors are raising thought-provoking questions about the nature of measurement, causality, and validity.…Markus and Borsboom are raising the bar for what it means to be called a validity theorist." - Derek Briggs, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA

“This book provides a unique contribution to the topic of test validity. It is an interesting interdisciplinary approach combining elements of philosophy, social sciences, and math. I found as I was reading that I was forced to think differently about several concepts. I am not aware of any book like this.” – Jean Powell Kirnan, The College of New Jersey, USA

From the Publisher