Chapter 2 Construct


An area of ability or skill in EAP which is identified for operationalization within an EAP test.


Construct validity


The meaningfulness and appropriateness of the interpretations that we make on the basis of test scores. Wigdor and Garner’s definition of construct validity (1982) describes construct validity as ‘… a scientific dialogue about the degree to which an inference that a test measures an underlying trait or hypothesized construct is supported by logical analysis and empirical evidence’ (p. 62).


Content validity


The estimate of how much a measure accurately represents the different aspects of a construct in the authentic EAP subject domain or context on which the students’ EAP teaching, learning and assessment is focused.


Criterion validity


The degree to which an EAP test accurately represents the EAP abilities or skills which it intends to measure.


Face validity


The level to which stakeholders agree or accept that a particular EAP test is a representative or useful measure of the EAP skills or abilities which it claims to measure.


Operationalize (a construct) The manner in which an EAP skill area is manifested in a test item or question.


Reliability


Consistency of measurement and avoidance of variation in test scores due to factors other than the construct being measured.


Validity


A general term to describe the extent to which a test or assessment’s results are representative of what that assessment seeks to measure.


Chapter 3 Field testing


The process through which possible EAP test items are reviewed and verified as suitable by being used in conditions which are sufficiently similar to those in which the final test will be deployed.


General description


An area within an example specification framework which provides a brief general statement of the behaviour being assessed. This is similar to learning outcomes or objectives.


Prompt attributes


An area within an example specification framework which provides a detailed description of what the student or test taker will encounter in this test item.


Prototyping and piloting


Part of the process of field testing, whereby potential EAP test items are identified as suitable for use in operational tests.


Response attributes


An area within an example specification framework which provides a complete and detailed description of the way in which the student will provide the answer and what will constitute success or failure.


Sample item


An example item or task that reflects the specification.


Specification supplement A detailed explanation of any additional required information that is needed in order to create suitable items.


Test specification


A blueprint document through which alternative versions of an EAP test can be created.


Glossary


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