Question

What is the norm-referenced interpretation of test scores? What is the criterion-referenced score interpretation? Using this homework provide an example for each kind of interpretation.

Answer 1

Solution:

Norm-reference test:
Tests that determine how well an individual's achievement compares with the achievement of others and that distinguish between high and low achievers; standardized test that has been given to a large representative group of test takers from which scores have been used to create norms. The Goal is to have p values near .50 to maximize reliability and differentiate between test takers.

Criterion-referenced tests:
Test that involves comparing and individual's test score with an objectively stated standard of achievement such as being able to multiply numbers.
- Goal is to determine whether test taker is competent
- Content validity most important
- Item difficulty is helpful to evaluate test items
Examples of commonly used norm referenced tests in speech language pathology are Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (Semel, Wiig and Secord, 2013) and the Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (Kertesz, 2006).
Examples of criterion referenced tests include Rossetti Infant Toddler Language Scale (Rossetti, 2006) and the Hudson Assessment of Phonological Patterns, Third Edition (Hodson. 2004).