Test Construction

Definition

Test construction is the set of activities involved in developing and evaluating a test of some psychological function. The steps include specifying the construct of interest, deciding the test’s function (i.e., whether it is used for diagnosis, description of skill level, or prediction of recovery), choosing a method (performance, behavioral observation, self-report), designing item content, evaluating the reliability and validity of the test, and modifying the test to maximize its utility. In clinical neuropsychology, the construct of interest is generally a cognitive function, although certain classes of behavior (executive functioning) may also be the construct of interest in tests. Depending upon the construct of interest, different forms of reliability may be differentially important. For the construct of intellectual functions, temporal reliability may be a preeminent concern. For the construct of visual spatial construction, interscorer reliability may be an...