1. Concepts in Tests and Measurements
C H A P T E R 01
Concepts in Tests and Measurements
Concepts in Tests and Measurements

2. Objectives Nature of Measurement and Evaluation
Purposes of Measurement, Testing, and Evaluation
Reliability and Validity
Domains of Human Performance

3. Key Terms Measurement Test
The act of assessing, usually resulting in assigning a number to quantify the amount of the characteristic being assessed
Test
A written, oral, physiological, psychological, or mechanical instrument or tool used to make a particular measurement
(continued)

4. Key Terms (continued) Evaluation Kinesmetrics
A statement of quality, goodness, merit, value, or worthiness about what has been assessed
Kinesmetrics
Refers to measurement and evaluation in kinesiology (a subdomain of human movement and performance)

5. Evaluation Based on Norm-Referenced Standards
How performance compares to that of others
Examples
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Intelligence Quotient (IQ) Test
American College Testing (ACT)

6. Evaluation Based on Criterion- Referenced Standards
Compares a person’s performance relative to a criterion that you would like to achieve
Examples
Driver’s License Examination
Board of Certification Examination
Content Mastery

7. Formative Evaluation
Initial or intermediate evaluation (i.e., pretest or interim report)
Important for tracking changes in the instructional, training, or research process

8. Summative Evaluation Final evaluation
Useful for measuring program achievement (i.e., Did your program meet its goals?)

9. Differences in Evaluation
Type of evaluation is determined by the use of the data
Example
10-week weight-loss program where each participant is measured every week
Formative Evaluation: Amount of weight lost each week
Summative Evaluation: Total weight loss

10. Purposes of Measurement, Testing, and Evaluation
Important to understand because professionals in kinesiology will be making evaluative decisions daily
Six general purposes:
Placement
Diagnosis
Prediction
Motivation
Achievement
Program Evaluation

11. Placement
An initial test and evaluation allow a professional to group students based on their abilities
Can help to facilitate learning because groups have the same starting point
Example
Grouping students of similar skill levels into different swim classes (beginner class and advanced class)

12. Diagnosis Can be used to determine weaknesses or deficiencies Example
Cardiologist administers treadmill stress tests to diagnose presence and severity of cardiovascular disease

13. Prediction Predict future events or results from present or past data
Most difficult research goal to obtain
Examples
SAT or ACT to predict college performance
Predict health risk from physical activity and/or fitness level

14. Motivation
Measurement and evaluation process is necessary for motivating your students and participants
People need the challenge and stimulation they get from an evaluation of their achievement
Example
Would you study as hard for your test if there were no grades?

15. Achievement
A set of objectives must be established in order to evaluate participants’ achievement
Assessment of achievement is a summative evaluation task that requires measurement and evaluation
Example
The grade you will receive at the end of this course is a measure of how well you learned the material

16. Program Evaluation
Used to demonstrate the successful achievement of program objectives
Example
Demonstrate students’ physical activity experiences by comparing test results with test results of other schools

17. Reliability and Validity
Consistency of measurement
Validity
Truthfulness of measurement
Requires reliability and relevance
A test cannot be valid if it is not reliable
Reliability + Relevance  Validity
Discussed in further detail in chapters 6 & 7

18. Domains of Human Performance
Affective
Psychological or emotional attributes
Cognitive
Knowledge-based information
(continued)

19. Domains of Human Performance (continued)
Psychomotor
Reflexive movements
Basic locomotor movements
Perceptual motor abilities
Physical abilities
Skilled movements
Nondiscursive movements
(continued)

20. Domains of Human Performance (continued)
Hierarchical in nature
Knowledge < Comprehension < Application < Analysis < Synthesis < Evaluation
Each level is based on the earlier levels having been achieved

21. Taxonomies in Domains of Human Performance

22. Summary
Measurement and evaluation are vital for professionals of human performance
Measurements and tests should be reliable, relevant, and valid
The evaluation process should be carefully considered and based on the objectives of the domains measured