
Tests That Work
Designing and Delivering Fair and Practical Measurement Tools in the Workplace
Odin Westgaard(Author)
Pfeiffer (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 12. April 1999
Book
Paperback/Softback
368 pages
978-0-7879-4596-1 (ISBN)
Description
The only practical business resource available that shows you howto use tests to assess skills and values in the workplace!
Loaded with figures, tips, checklists, and examples, Tests ThatWork gives you everything you need to use assessments responsiblyand effectively at your organization.
You know the effects of mediocre workplace performance: reducedprofitability, poor productivity, and diminished customer andemployee satisfaction. But while you know the effects, finding thecauses can seem nearly impossible. Do some of your employees needto improve their execution of basic tasks? Should some of youremployees work on expanding their knowledge? How can you answerthese questions?
Tests enable you to find answers such as these. But manyorganizations are afraid to use assessments: test development andexecution is complicated. Bad tests can seem punishing oroffensive, and yield inconclusive or incorrect results.
That's why noted consultant Odin Westgaard brings you Tests ThatWork, the only practical resource available that shows you how touse tests to assess skills and values in the workplace. Westgaardoffers you invaluable advice whether you're developing andadministering tests--or merely selecting them.
"Confusion has reigned in the realms of tests, testing, andcalibrating human performance. Until now. This book will be on mydesk -- the shelf is too far away!"
--Roger Kaufman, professor and director, office for needsassessment and planning, Florida State University; co-editor, TheGuidebook for Performance Improvement
"This is one valuable book I won't loan to anyone. I'd never get itback! It's that good."
--Kery Mortenson, senior site training specialist, AbbottLaboratories
You'll learn how to:
* Test organizational attitudes
* Examine test validity and reliability
* Manage ethical issues related to test administration
* Evaluate and report test results . . . and more!
You'll use tests to:
* discover where training is needed
* determine whether training was successful
* analyze an organizational culture
* assess opinions and preferences
* and more!
Whether you're a manager who's considering using tests at yourorganization, a human resource development professional who'sdesigning and implementing tests for your clients, or an educatoror student engaged in the study or practice of assessment -- thisis the resource for you!
Loaded with figures, tips, checklists, and examples, Tests ThatWork gives you everything you need to use assessments responsiblyand effectively at your organization.
You know the effects of mediocre workplace performance: reducedprofitability, poor productivity, and diminished customer andemployee satisfaction. But while you know the effects, finding thecauses can seem nearly impossible. Do some of your employees needto improve their execution of basic tasks? Should some of youremployees work on expanding their knowledge? How can you answerthese questions?
Tests enable you to find answers such as these. But manyorganizations are afraid to use assessments: test development andexecution is complicated. Bad tests can seem punishing oroffensive, and yield inconclusive or incorrect results.
That's why noted consultant Odin Westgaard brings you Tests ThatWork, the only practical resource available that shows you how touse tests to assess skills and values in the workplace. Westgaardoffers you invaluable advice whether you're developing andadministering tests--or merely selecting them.
"Confusion has reigned in the realms of tests, testing, andcalibrating human performance. Until now. This book will be on mydesk -- the shelf is too far away!"
--Roger Kaufman, professor and director, office for needsassessment and planning, Florida State University; co-editor, TheGuidebook for Performance Improvement
"This is one valuable book I won't loan to anyone. I'd never get itback! It's that good."
--Kery Mortenson, senior site training specialist, AbbottLaboratories
You'll learn how to:
* Test organizational attitudes
* Examine test validity and reliability
* Manage ethical issues related to test administration
* Evaluate and report test results . . . and more!
You'll use tests to:
* discover where training is needed
* determine whether training was successful
* analyze an organizational culture
* assess opinions and preferences
* and more!
Whether you're a manager who's considering using tests at yourorganization, a human resource development professional who'sdesigning and implementing tests for your clients, or an educatoror student engaged in the study or practice of assessment -- thisis the resource for you!
Reviews / Votes
"Confusion has reigned in the realms of tests, testing, andcalibrating human performance. Until now. Odin Westgaard's TestsThat Work clears up the mysteries while giving clear, valid, anduseful guidance on measuring performance and making sense of itall. This book will be on my desk--the shelf is too far away!"----Roger Kaufman, , professor and director, office for needsassessment and planning, Florida State University; coeditor, TheGuidebook for Performance Improvement"This is one valuable book I won't loan to anyone. I'd never get itback! It's that good." ----Kery Mortenson, , senior site trainingspecialist, Abbott Laboratories
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
John Wiley & Sons Inc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
With dust jacket
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 191 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
687 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7879-4596-1 (9780787945961)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
ODIN WESTGAARD, Ed.D., is an acknowledged expert in strategicplanning, assessment, and evaluation, as well as in interventiondesign, development, and analysis. He is known for his ability totreat each new client and each new problem objectively and withinsight. His recent clients have included Walgreens, McDonalds, AT& T, The American Cancer Society, and Ameritech. Westgaard is afrequent speaker at international conferences; his publicationsinclude five books and more than three dozen articles.
Content
Preface.
Acknowledgments.
Introduction.
PART ONE: FUNDAMENTALS OF TESTING.
One: Tests.
Two: Categories of Tests and Items.
Three: Measurement.
Four: Measuring Competence: Defining Performance and Mastery.
Five: The Three Principal Uses for Tests.
PART TWO: A SYSTEMATIC PROCESS FOR TEST DEVELOPMENT.
Six: Justifying the Test.
Seven: Planning the Test.
Eight: Developing the Test.
Nine: Producing and Administering the Test.
Ten: Evaluating and Reporting the Results.
Eleven: Using Test Results.
Twelve: Evaluating the Test.
Thirteen: Test Management: An Ethical Process.
AppAndix: Glossary of Testing Terms.
Bibliography.
Index.
About the Author.
Acknowledgments.
Introduction.
PART ONE: FUNDAMENTALS OF TESTING.
One: Tests.
Two: Categories of Tests and Items.
Three: Measurement.
Four: Measuring Competence: Defining Performance and Mastery.
Five: The Three Principal Uses for Tests.
PART TWO: A SYSTEMATIC PROCESS FOR TEST DEVELOPMENT.
Six: Justifying the Test.
Seven: Planning the Test.
Eight: Developing the Test.
Nine: Producing and Administering the Test.
Ten: Evaluating and Reporting the Results.
Eleven: Using Test Results.
Twelve: Evaluating the Test.
Thirteen: Test Management: An Ethical Process.
AppAndix: Glossary of Testing Terms.
Bibliography.
Index.
About the Author.