Measurement Theory in Action: Case Studies and Exercises

by Kenneth S. Shultz, David J. Whitney, Michael J. Zickar

This book helps readers apply testing and measurement theories. Featuring 22 self-standing modules, instructors can pick and choose the ones that are most appropriate for their course. Each module features an overview of a measurement issue and a step-by-step application of that theory. "Best practices" provide recommendations for ensuring the appropriate application of the theory. "Practical questions" help students assess their understanding of the topic while the examples allow them to apply the material using real data. Two cases in each module depict typical dilemmas faced when applying measurement theory followed by "Questions to Ponder" to encourage critical examination of the issues noted in the cases. Each module contains exercises some of which require no computer access while others involve the use of SPSS to solve the problem. The book's website houses the accompanying data sets and more. The book also features suggested readings, a glossary of the key terms, and a continuing exercise that incorporates many of the steps in the development of a measure of typical performance.

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Updated throughout to reflect recent changes in the field, the new edition also features: "

--A new co-author, Michael Zickar, who updated the advanced topics and added the new module on generalizability theory (Module 22).

-Expanded coverage of reliability (Modules 5 & 6) and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (Modules 18 & 19) to help readers interpret results presented in journal articles.

-Expanded Web Resources, "Instructors "will now find: suggested answers to the book's questions and exercises; detailed worked solutions to the exercises; and PowerPoint slides. "Students and instructors" can access the SPSS data sets; additional exercises; the glossary; and website references that are helpful in understanding psychometric concepts.

Part 1 provides an introduction to measurement theory and specs for scaling and testing and a review of statistics. Part 2 then progresses through practical issues related to text reliability, validation, meta-analysis and bias. Part 3 reviews practical issues related to text construction such as the development of measures of maximal performance, CTT item analysis, test scoring, developing measures of typical performance, and issues related to response styles and guessing. The book concludes with advanced topics such as multiple regression, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, item response theory (IRT), IRT applications including computer adaptive testing and differential item functioning, and generalizability theory.

Ideal as a text for any psychometrics, testing and measurement, or multivariate statistics course taught in psychology, education, marketing and management, professional researchers in need of a quick refresher on applying measurement theory will also find this an invaluable reference.

Genres: Nonfiction

424 pages, Paperback

First published July 8, 2004

Reviews

[Robert Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're looking for a conceptual overview of psychometric practices, this might be the book for you. If you're looking for a book that will put you on the road to conducting psychometric research of your own, this book falls a bit short.

The scope of this book is quite broad indeed and that's where it really shines. It walks the reader through many of the decisions and practices necessary to conduct any kind of psychometric research. It occasionally touches on psychological issues, but its primary focus is specifically on the measurement side of things--that is to say, the mathematical/statistical side of things. And it does an excellent job of explaining why certain statistical techniques are used in varying circumstances.

However, it does not actually explain the statistics, and that's where it fails a bit. The book's description says it is "ideal as a text for any psychometrics, testing and measurement, or multivariate statistics course taught in psychology, education, marketing and management, and professional researchers in need of a quick refresher on applying measurement theory will also find this an invaluable reference." The problem, there, is that though it references topics related to, for instance, multivariate statistics, it does little to tell the reader how to actually use the techniques. Though the book does not shy away from including the occasional equation or statistical output table, it simply lacks the detail necessary for the reader to actually come away from the book with much practical knowledge.

To use an example, the chapters on exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis do a great job at explaining the conceptual differences between the two practices and when one would choose to use one or the other. However, the reader looking for insight into how to actually PERFORM a factor analysis will not find that information anywhere in this book. Yes, the book does contain an exercise that walks the reader through the steps using SPSS, but if one's own research deviates even slightly from the hypothetical research contained in the exercise (as it undoubtedly will), one will be helplessly stuck when it comes to understanding the sometimes subtle choices one must make in statistical modeling. Further, the usefulness of that exercise depends on the reader's use of SPSS, a not-inexpensive software platform. A strong argument could be made that if the exercises were presented either in purely mathematical terms or using a platform like R, the reader would come away with a deeper understanding of the statistics rather than the more superficial "point and click" level of understanding offered by the book's use of SPSS exercises following specific sequences of steps.

However, while the book may fail as a practical guide, its numerous case studies excel as a conceptual guide. The reader may not come away with any understanding of exactly which mathematical technique to use or how to use it, but will come away with a relatively deep appreciation for the basic issues and questions involved in developing and validating a psychometric instrument.

If this is to be your first introduction to psychometrics, this book will provide a much gentler introduction than a purely mathematical book will. However, if you're already well versed in the basic concepts of psychometrics and statistical theory, you'll want something with a bit more mathematical detail. That's not necessarily a flaw or a virtue in this book--it's just a question of what your own particular needs might be. However, since the book is called "Measurement Theory IN ACTION" (emphasis mine) and advertises itself as a suitable text for a course in either psychometrics or multivariate statistics, I expected a bit more of the practical (one might say actionable) statistical theory.

[Red Alibi]

Exellent book that provides an overview of measurment in psychology.
What makes a good assessing device, how to create one if you were so inclined. Easy to read. Hard to master. Read for my measurement class.