Preface
1
Introduction
The aims of the book
The climate for language testing
Research and development: needs and problems
Research and development: an agenda
Overview of the book
Notes
2 Measurement
Introduction
Definition of terms: measurement, test, evaluation
Essential measurement qualities
Properties of measurement scales
Characteristics that limit measurement
Steps in measurement
Summary
Notes
Further reading
Discussion questions
3
Uses of Language Tests
Introduction
Uses of language tests in educational programs
Research uses of language tests
Features for classifying different types of language test
Summary
Further reading
Discussion questions
4 Communicative Language Ability
Introduction
Language proficiency and communicative competence
A theoretical framework of communicative language
ability
Summary
Notes
Further reading
Discussion questions
5 Test Methods
Introduction
A framework of test method facets
Applications of this framework to language testing
Summary
Notes
Further reading
Discussion questions
6 Reliability
Introduction
Factors that affect language test scores
Classical true score measurement theory
Generalizability theory
Standard error of measurement: interpreting individual
test scores within classical true score and generalizability
theory
Item response theory
Reliability of criterion-referenced test scores
Factors that affect reliability estimates
Systematic measurement error
Summary
Notes
Further reading
Discussion questions
7 Validation
Introduction
Reliability and validity revisited
Validity as a unitary concept
The evidential basis of validity
Test bias
The consequential or ethical basis of validity
Post mortem: face validity
Summary
Notes
Further reading
Discussion questions
8
Some Persistent Problems and Future Directions
Introduction
Authentic language tests
Some future directions
A general model for explaining performance on language
tests
Apologia et prolegomenon
Summary
Notes
Further reading
Discussion questions
Bibliography
Author index
Subject index
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