Principles of Measurement

Course Description:

The course covers a review of basic statistical concepts, classical true-score theory, reliability, validity, principles of test construction, transforming and equating test scores, scaling, special considerations in the use of  measurement, controversies and current developments in measurement, norm- and criterion-referenced measurement, differential item functioning, test bias, and item response theory.

Course Objectives:

After completion of the course, students should be able to apply theoretical principles of measurement to both teaching and research.

Semester:   Fall 1999

Professor:  Patricia B. Elmore

Room Assignment: Section 1  T,R   2:00-3:15 pm,  Wham 312

Office Hours:  T,R 3:15-4:30 pm; W 3:30-4:30 pm; and by appointment

Office:  College of Education Dean's Office, Wham 115

Office Phone:   453-2415

EMAIL:   pbelmore@siu.edu

WEB:    http://www.siu.edu/~epse1/elmore/

Textbook:

Allen, Mary J., & Yen, Wendy M. (1979). Introduction to Measurement Theory. Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.

Lecture Notes:  Available at Printing Plant

Grade Scale:

A - 90% 270-300 points

B - 80% 240-269 points

C - 70% 210-239 points

D - 60% 180-209 points

F - 50%   <180  points

NOTE:  STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES REQUIRING ACCOMMODATIONS NEED TO INFORM THE INSTRUCTOR IMMEDIATELY.

DATE	LECTURE TOPICS AND EXAMS	CHAPTERS IN TEXTBOOK
Aug. 24	Introduction	1
26,31,Sep.2	A Review of Basic Statistical Concepts	2
Sep. 7	Classical True-Score Theory	3
9,14,16	Reliability	4
21,23	PRESENTATION of Reliability Projects (25 points)
28,30,Oct.5	Validity	5
Oct. 7,12	PRESENTATION of Validity Projects (25 points)
14	ACA Governing Council Meeting - Washington, D.C.
19	Review for Midterm Examination
21	MIDTERM EXAMINATION (100 points)	1-5
26,28,Nov.2	Go over Midterm Exam and Principles of Test Construction	6
Nov. 4	Transforming and Equating Test Scores	7
9	Scaling	8
11	Special Considerations in the Use of Measurement	9
16	Controversies and Current Developments in Measurement	10
18	Strong True-Score Theories and Latent Trait Models	11
22-26	Thanksgiving Vacation
30,Dec.2,7	PRESENTATION of Course Projects (50 points)
Dec. 9	Review for Final Examination and Unified Concept of Validity
17	FINAL EXAMINATION (100 points) [Friday 10:10 am-12:10 pm]	1-11

NOTE: The midterm examination on October 21 will meet until 3:50 pm. The final examination on December 17 will meet for 3 hours rather than 2 hours shown in the university schedule.

Reliability Project (25 points):

Oral presentation to the class of your critique of an article in your field of specialization in which the reliability of scores from an instrument used in the study was assessed.  Also turn in the article and a written report.

Validity Project (25 points):

Oral presentation to the class of your critique of an article in your field of specialization in which the validity of scores from an instrument used in the study was assessed.  Also turn in the article and a written report.

Course Project (50 points):

Oral presentation and written report to be turned in on one of the following topics:

 1. Licensure examinations

 2. Certification examinations

 3. Performance assessment

 4. Educational measurement and the law

 5. Interest measurement

 6. Personality assessment

 7. Testing and bilingual education

 8. Norm-referenced measurement

 9. Criterion-referenced measurement

10. Standard setting techniques

11. Reliability

12. Validity

13. Consequential Aspects of Validity

14. Unified Concept of Validity

15. Differential item functioning

16. Item response theory

17. Standards for educational and psychological tests

18. A topic of your choice approved by the professor

Please submit any questions or comments to: Patti Elmore