Modern Psychometrics

John Rust and Susan Golombok provide a readable introduction to modern psychometrics. The first part deals with theoretical and more general issues in psychometrics and acknowledges that if psychometrics is to fulfil its function of fair assessment and selection it must take a stand on issues of racism and injustice. The second part is a step by step guide on how to construct a psychometric questionnaire. This progresses through all the stages of test construction from definition of original purpose to its eventual validation. Item response theory, criterion reference testing, profiling and minimum competency testing, are included, as are knowledge based tests of ability, aptitude, achievement and person based tests of personality, clinical symptoms, mood and attitude.