In this book, the authors provide a cogent review of statistical and interpretive procedures that, in combination, can be used to reduce the likelihood that tests contain items that favor members of one gender, age, racial, or ethnic group over equally able members of another group, for reasons that are unrelated to the objectives and purposes of measurement. Such test items are said to be biased against the equally able members of the group that is not favored. The methods described and illustrated in this book have the potential to reducing the incidence of tests that are, in their construction, biased against members of one or more groups. These methods have the potential of controlling an important source of invalidity when test results are interpreted.

Collects humorous, whimsical, and strange stories that combine unusual subject matter with emotional expression and exhibit a broad diversity of form.

This volume, representing a compilation of authoritative reviews on a multitude of uses of statistics in epidemiology and medical statistics written by internationally renowned experts, is addressed to statisticians working in biomedical and epidemiological fields who use statistical and quantitative methods in their work. While the use of statistics in these fields has a long and rich history, explosive growth of science in general and clinical and epidemiological sciences in particular have gone through a see of change, spawning the development of new methods and innovative adaptations of standard methods. Since the literature is highly scattered, the Editors have undertaken this humble exercise to document a representative collection of topics of broad interest to diverse users. The volume spans a cross section of standard topics oriented toward users in the current evolving field, as well as special topics in much need which have more recent origins. This volume was prepared especially keeping the applied statisticians in mind, emphasizing applications-oriented methods and techniques, including references to appropriate software when relevant. The contributors are internationally renowned experts in their respective areas. This volume addresses emerging statistical challenges in epidemiological, biomedical, and pharmaceutical research. It features: methods for assessing Biomarkers, analysis of competing risks; clinical trials including sequential and group sequential, crossover designs, cluster randomized, and adaptive designs; and, structural equations modelling and longitudinal data analysis.

Leading experts describe the state-of-the-art in developing and constructing psychometric tests This latest volume in the series Psychological Assessment – Science and Practice describes the current state-of-the-art in test development and construction. The past 10-20 years have seen substantial advances in the methods used to develop and administer tests. In this volume many of the world's leading authorities collate these advances and provide information about current practices, thus equipping researchers and students to successfully construct new tests using the best modern standards and techniques. The first section explains the benefits of considering the underlying theory when designing tests, such as factor analysis and item response theory. The second section looks at item format and test presentation. The third discusses model testing and selection, while the fourth goes into statistical methods that can find group-specific bias. The final section discusses topics of special relevance such as multi-trait multi-state analyses and development of screening instruments.

A unique, practical manual for identifying and analyzing item bias in standardized tests. Osterlind discusses five strategies for detecting bias: analysis of variance, transformed item difficulties, chi square, item characteristic curve, and distractor response. He covers specific hypotheses under test for each technique, as well as the capabilities and limitations of each strategy.

Addresses the meaning and fairness of testing in education and employment with concentration on tests used: in elementary and secondary schools; for admission to higher education and for scholarship awards; for employment referrals, hiring and promotions; and for regulating occupations. Contains a background paper on key issues, a condensed transcript of the consultation of experts, papers written by the panelists, and a summary of their positions. Includes a glossary, references, appendixes of Federal guidelines and standards, and major legislation and litigation involving testing.

Test fairness is a moral imperative for both the makers and the users of tests. This book focuses on methods for detecting test items that function differently for different groups of examinees and on using this information to improve tests. Of interest to all testing and measurement specialists, it examines modern techniques used routinely to insure test fairness. Three of these relevant to the book's contents are: * detailed reviews of test items by subject matter experts and members of the major subgroups in society (gender, ethnic, and linguistic) that will be represented in the examinee population * comparisons of the predictive validity of the test done separately for each one of the major subgroups of examinees * extensive statistical analyses of the relative performance of major subgroups of examinees on individual test items.