Frontiers of Test Validity Theory: Measurement, Causation, and Meaning(Multivariate Applications Series)

This book introduces the theories that address the process of measurement, the role of causality in measurement, and the meaning and interpretation of test scores. Philosophical and psychometric perspectives are explored as well as related problems and unresolved issues. As such, it appeals to researchers and advanced students interested in test validity in the behavioral, social, and educational sciences. Introductory chapters in each section provide an overview of existing literature for teaching purposes. The book examines how measurement is conceived of in both classical and modern perspectives on psychological testing. The importance of understanding the underlying conceptual issues as well as the practical challenges of construction and use is emphasized throughout. The extensive use of examples throughout the book brings the theoretical issues to life by showing how the theory is applied in actual testing situations. Boxed applications include critical thinking questions to engage readers. A few examples include: What is the difference between intelligence and IQ? Can people disagree on issues of value but agree on issues of test validity? Is it possible to ask the same question in two different languages? Organized into 4 sections, section 1 reviews the key theories. Section 2 examines the relation between measurements and theoretical attributes including both non-causal and causal relationships. Both the theoretical and practical consequences of choosing a particular measure is evaluated. Section 3 examines test validity theory as it relates to test score interpretation and the distinctions between different kinds of tests (e.g., attitude, knowledge, ability). Unresolved issues regarding meaning and measurement are also reviewed. The book concludes with a review of the common themes that run throughout the book as well as their interrelations and suggestions for future research. Intended for researchers and practitioners interested in test validity and/or developing tests in the behavioral, social, and educational sciences, this book also serves as a supplement for courses on psychometrics and/or testing and measurement, and/or or as a primary text in courses on measurement or test validity. Prior familiarity with technical testing material is not assumed.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction: Surveying the Field of Test Validity Theory. 2. Philosophical Theories of Measurement. 3. Psychometric Models. 4. Open Issues in Measurement Theory and Psychometrics. 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. 9. Interpreting Test Responses: Validity, Values, and Evaluation. 10. A Model of Test Score Interpretation. 11. Open Questions About Test Score Meaning. 12. An Integrative View of Test Validity. 13. Epilogue as Dialog: The Future of Test Validity Theory.

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). Denny Borsboom is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Amsterdam.

Review :
"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