Tests

Tests are used in applied linguistics research to measure variables of interest to researchers. A test is “a particular type of measurement that focuses on eliciting a specific sample of performance” (Bachman, 2004, p. 9). Test tasks “elicit performance from which we can make the inferences we want to make” (p. 9). Language ability is one, but not the only, variable of interest in applied linguistics research, and therefore, language testing is a critical area of concern. Because language ability, like all constructs, cannot be seen directly, test takers demonstrate their linguistic abilities by observable choices, words, and actions. These choices, words, and actions are taken as evidence of the ability in question; thus, every test score is the result of the process of inference whereby observed performance is interpreted as indicative of the test takers’ level of ability on the construct measured. Researchers who use test scores in their own studies often count on proficiency tests that have been developed for educational purposes, but in many cases, they need to develop their own tests in order to measure the specific construct that they intend to study.

Cognitive psychology · Construct (python library) · Construct validity · Data mining · Developmental psychology · Inference · Language assessment · Linguistics · Mathematics education · Measure (data warehouse) · Natural language processing · Psychometrics · Sample (material) · Test (biology) · Artificial Intelligence · Computer Science · EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning · Interpreting and Communication in Healthcare · Multilingual Education and Policy · Psychology

• Statistical Analyses for Language Assessment

  Open Access•Lyle F Bachman•Statistical Analyses for Language…•2004

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• Second Language Acquisition

  Susan M Ga, Susan M Gass et al.•Second language acquisition•2008

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