Abstract

This session aims to provide an introductory overview of the ways in which the reliability of a test is conceived and calculated. It includes a very brief introduction to the relationship between reliability, classical test theory and item response theory. It explores a number of different ways in which reliability can be presented to an external audience and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each of these. It also looks at which factors may affect the reliability of a test.

Additional date: 16 October | 14.00-16.00 | Coventry| Register to attend

Speaker biography

Dr Tom Benton has worked in educational statistics for more than 10 years and is Principal Research Officer in Assessment Research and Development Division, Cambridge Assessment. Prior to joining Cambridge Assessment he worked for the National Foundation for Education Research (NFER) as an expert in the field of statistical analysis. His work at NFER included test development, survey research, programme evaluation, benchmarking and international comparisons. He has been closely involved with a number of large-scale national and international surveys of young people as well as the development and standardisation of numerous educational tests. He has co-authored a report on the subject of assessing reliability which has been published by Ofqual (read the report), and has practical experience of developing reliable ways of measuring attitudes and abilities of interest across a wide range of different subject areas including academic ability, community cohesion, self-efficacy, enjoyment of school, self-confidence and political opinions.