Sample interview questions: Can you describe the process you follow when developing a new assessment?
Sample answer:
When developing a new assessment, there are several key steps that I follow as a psychometrician to ensure the assessment is valid, reliable, and fair. These steps include:
-
Defining the Purpose: First and foremost, it is important to clearly define the purpose of the assessment. This involves identifying the specific constructs or traits that the assessment aims to measure. By clearly defining the purpose, we can develop appropriate test items and scoring methods.
-
Item Generation: In this step, I collaborate with subject matter experts to generate a pool of test items that are relevant to the constructs being measured. These items should cover a wide range of difficulty levels and be representative of the construct being assessed.
-
Item Review and Selection: The generated test items undergo a thorough review process. This involves evaluating the clarity, relevance, and appropriateness of each item. We also consider potential biases or cultural differences that might affect item performance. Based on the review, a subset of items is selected for further analysis.
-
Pilot Testing: Before finalizing the assessment, it is crucial to conduct pilot testing with a representative sample of the target population. This helps identify any issues with the items, such as ambiguous wording or poor discrimination. Pilot testing also allows us to gather data on item difficulty and reliability.
-
Item Analysis: Once the pilot testing is complete, we analyze the item performance data. This includes examining item difficulty, discrimination, and overall item characteristics. Items that do not meet predetermined criteria are further reviewed or eliminated from the assessment.
-
Scoring Method Development: A scoring method is developed to convert raw scores into meaningful and interpretable scores. This may involve establishing score ranges, determining cut-off points, or developing scoring algorithms. The scoring method should align with the purpose of the assessment and be fair to all individuals taking the test.
-
Norming: Norming involves administering the assessment to a large and representative sample of individuals from the target population. This allows for the establishment of norms, which provide a basis for comparison and interpretation of individual scores. Norming also help… Read full answer