W1 Chapter 1A - Definition Of A Test

Question 1

What is a test?

Answer 1

A standardised procedure for sampling behaviour and describing it with categories or scores

Question 2

What is the purpose of norms and standards in tests?

Answer 2

Results are applied to norms and standards to predict other , more important behaviours.

Question 3

What 5 characteristics do tests possess?

Answer 3

1. Standardised procedure
2. Behaviour sample
3. Scores or categories
4. Norms and standards
5. Prediction of non test behaviour

Question 4

What is a norm-referenced test?

Answer 4

A test that uses a well defined population of persons for their interpretive framework.

Question 5

What is a criterion-referenced test?

Answer 5

A test that measures what a person can do rather than comparing results to the performance levels of others

Question 6

What makes tests standardised?

Answer 6

Tests are standardised when the procedures for administering it are uniform from one examiner and setting to another

Question 7

What 3 things are needed to ensure uniformity of directions?

Answer 7

1. Provide comparable stimulus materials to all testers
2. Specify with precision the oral instructions for each item
3. Advise examiners how to handle a wide range of queries

Question 8

Why are psychological tests a limited sample of behaviour?

Answer 8

Because there isn’t enough time to test all behaviours, so a carefully selected subset of behaviours are tested

Question 9

When is the sample of behaviour of interest in testing?

Answer 9

When it permits inferences to be made about the total domain of relevant behaviours

Question 10

What is the essential characteristic of a good test?

Answer 10

That it permits the examiner to predicts other behaviours - not that it only mirrors the to-be predicted behaviours

Question 11

In what 2 ways does psychological testing sup up performance?

Answer 11

1. In numbers
2. In classifications

Question 12

What is the implicit assumption of the psychometric viewpoint?

Answer 12

That tests measure individual differences in traits that exist in some vague sense.

Question 13

Name 2 cautions to be aware of when considering test measurements?

Answer 13

1. All scores will always reflect some degree of measurement error
2. Test consumers must be wary of refining the characteristic being measured. Psychological concepts are abstractions and do not represent a real thing.

Question 14

What are norms?

Answer 14

A summary of test results for a large and representative group of subjects

Question 15

What is the norm group referred to as?

Answer 15

The standardisation sample

Question 16

Why must the standardisation sample be representative of the population?

Answer 16

If the sample is not representative then it is not possible to determine the subject’s standing, and the test may be rendered useless.

Question 17

What 2 things do norms allow a tester to determine?

Answer 17

1. Average performance
2. Frequency of high and low scores

Question 18

What does average performance and frequency of high and low scores allow a tester to determine?

Answer 18

The degree to which a score deviates from expectations

Question 19

What is the ultimate purpose of a test?

Answer 19

To predict additional behaviours other than those directly sampled by the test