Classical Test Theory

The course in classical test theory covers both theoretical and practical aspects of psychometric test and item analysis.

The theoretical aspect comprises:

• the introduction of some basic statistical concepts such as mean, standard deviation and correlation coefficients;
• interpretations and uses of statistical test characteristics such as mean test score, standard error of measurement and the reliability of test scores;
• definitions, interpretations and uses of item characteristics during test construction, such as item difficulty, item discriminating power and differential item functioning.
• All concepts will be exemplified by means of table and graphical output from the computer programme TiaPlus, a modern and extensive programme for performing test and item analysis according to classical test theory.

The practical part of the course will comprise an introduction to and exercises with the computer programme TiaPlus, where the participants will have the opportunity to analyse (their own) data. Some basic data file handling will be discussed in passing.

Participants are invited to bring their own material. The trainer will contact the participants concerning the types of materials