A Pitfall in the Construct Validation of Ability Tests

This thesis is about problems in the theory and practice of the construct validation of ability tests. The main point is that there is a danger that people following the guidelines to be found in the construct validation literature will reach unjustified conclusions about which constructs tests measure. More specifically, there is a danger that people following the advice in the construct validation literature will set the goals of construct validation using realistically-based thinking and use nominalistically-based procedures to reach those goals, and nominalistically-based procedures cannot be adequately used to reach realistically-based goals. Nominalistically-based thinking is thinking based upon conceiving of abilities nominalistically. To conceive of abilities nominalistically is to hold that ability terms and expressions refer to classes of behaviours. Realistically-based thinking is thinking based upon conceiving of abilities realistically. To conceive of abilities realistically is to hold that ability terms and expressions refer to powers which people possess which enable them to behave in certain ways.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Norris, Stephen P.

• Education, Tests and Measurements

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8127658

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/66052