Various concepts are crucial in conducting and understanding test statistics. For a scholar or even a social worker to understand how the test statistics are applied in the assessment process, an in-depth understanding of interpretation of test data comes in handy (Neukrug & Fawcett, 2013). The four factors of test worthiness that are accorded ultimate attention are validity, reliability, cross-cultural fairness and practicality.
Validity entails investigating the test statistics to ensure they measure what they are supposed to measure. It is often imperative that the accumulated evidence support the intended interpretation and purpose of the test scores. Validity can be in the form of content, criterion related or construct related (Neukrug & Fawcett, 2013). Content validity seeks to establish whether the content of the test is valid. Criterion validity on the other hand, establishes the relationship between criterion the test and the test as it is and especially for concurrent and predictive validity. Lastly, construct validity ensures that the test instrument measures a hypothetical trait.
Reliability is the second factor of test worthiness, which ensures that test scores are accurate or consistent. It determines whether one would score the same if the test were repeated severally (Neukrug & Fawcett, 2013). The correlation coefficient should be closer to one, since with a less error, reliability is higher. Reliability can be determined in three different ways, which are test-retest, alternate, and via the internal consistency method.
Cross-cultural fairness ensures that the tests are not biased (Neukrug & Fawcett, 2013). For example, tracking students in schools based on race have always depicted in one race to be unfair. This is an unfair test and fairness should always be applied. To ensure that there is cross-cultural fairness while conducting various tests, the government has passed several acts.
Lastly, practicality focuses on the practical concerns of the tests. These concerns include sequencing of questions, the type of questions asked as well as the clarity of the tests (Neukrug & Fawcett, 2013).. Practicality surpasses its reach to other concerns such as ease of readability as well as interpretation of the tests.
References
Neukrug, E. S., & Fawcett, R. c. (2013) Essentials of Testing& Assessment, 3rd Edition. Belmont, California: Brooks/Cole.
