Skip to main content
Log in

Nominally and rigorously parallel test forms

  • Published:
Psychometrika Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

When several test forms are used interchangeably, they will not in practice, despite all efforts, be rigorously parallel. A definition of the standard error of measurement appropriate for this type of situation can be provided; however, it will be different from the definition in classical test theory. Appropriate formulas for the standard error of measurement and for other related quantities under both definitions are derived and compared; also sample statistics for estimating these quantities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Buros, O. K. Schematization of old and new concepts of test reliability based upon parametric models. Paper read at A.E.R.A. and N.C.M.U.E., Chicago, February, 1963.

  2. Cronbach, L. J. and Azuma, H. Internal-consistency reliability formulas applied to randomly sampled single-factor tests: An empirical comparison.Educ. psychol. Measmt, 1962,22, 645–665.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Cronbach, L. J., Rajaratnam, N., and Gleser, G. C. Theory of generalizability: A liberalization of reliability theory.Brit. J. statist. Psychol., 1963,16, 137–163.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Lord, F. M. Sampling fluctuations resulting from the sampling of test items.Psychometrika, 1955,20, 1–22.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Lord, F. M. Test reliability—A correction.Educ. psychol. Measmt, 1962,22, 511–512.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Rajaratnam, N. Reliability formulas for independent decision data when reliability data are matched.Psychometrika, 1960,25, 261–271.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Rulon, P. J. A simplified procedure for determining the reliability of a test by splithalves.Harvard educ. Rev., 1939,9, 99–103.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Winer, B. J.Statistical principles in experimental design. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1962.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

The writer is indebted to Lee Cronbach and Julian Stanley for many helpful suggestions for revising a draft of this paper. Part of the work was carried out while the writer was Brittingham Visiting Professor at the University of Wisconsin. This work was supported in part by contract Nonr-2752(00) between the Office of Naval Research and Educational Testing Service. Reproduction in whole or in part for any purpose of the United States Government is permitted. The termnominally parallel was suggested by Lee Cronbach.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lord, F.M. Nominally and rigorously parallel test forms. Psychometrika 29, 335–345 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02289600

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02289600

Keywords

Navigation