Test Reviewing in Spain

• Published in: International journal of testing Vol. 12; no. 2; pp. 176 - 184
• Main Authors: Muniz, Jose, Fernandez-Hermida, Jose R, Fonseca-Pedrero, Eduardo, Campillo-Alvarez, Angela, Pena-Suarez, Elsa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis Group 01-04-2012; Routledge; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Assessment; Educational Assessment; Educational Indicators; Educational Quality; Evaluation Criteria; Evaluation Methods; Expertise; Foreign Countries; Item Analysis; Measurement; Measurement Objectives; Measurement Techniques; Psychological Testing; Psychological tests; Psychometric properties; Psychometrics; Quality Assurance; Quantitative psychology; Reliability; Spain; Student Evaluation; Studies; test assessment; Test Reviews; Test Use; tests; Validity; Spain
• ISSN: 1530-5058; 1532-7574
• DOI: 10.1080/15305058.2012.661817

The proper use of psychological tests requires that the measurement instruments have adequate psychometric properties, such as reliability and validity, and that the professionals who use the instruments have the necessary expertise. In this article, we present the first review of tests published in Spain, carried out with an assessment model developed by the European Test Commission and adapted to the Spanish context. The model permits both qualitative and quantitative assessment of the test. Ten tests were reviewed, selected from among those most widely used by Spanish professionals. Each test was sent to two peer reviewers for its assessment and, based on this assessment, a final report was drawn up. In general, it can be said that the quality of the ten measurement instruments is good, the reports highlighting their strong and weak points. In light of the reviews, some improvements are suggested for future editions of the tests, emphasizing the need to include in the Manuals as much evidence as possible on the validity of the tests. Finally, we discuss the details of the review process and analyze possible future directions for test assessment in Spain.