WIAT3 Tech Manual.pdf - CAMPBELA

2.ChapterWIAT–III Research Procedures, Standardization,and Norms DevelopmentThe research leading to the publication of the WIAT–III was an iterative process with each stage of developmentleading to further refinements of the scale. This chapter reviews this process, including the researchand quality assurance procedures used in developing the scale and the stages during which they occurred.Special attention is given to the standardization stage, including descriptions of the normative sample andnorms development.Research GuidelinesThe Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (Standards; American Educational Research Association,American Psychological Association, & National Council on Measurement in Education, 1999) servedas a primary resource throughout the development of the WIAT–III and provided criteria for the “evaluationof tests, testing practices, and the effects of test use” (p. 2). The reader is referred to the Standards for acomprehensive discussion of these and other issues related to test development and evaluation.Major Research StagesSeveral experimental editions of the WIAT–III, based on a working blueprint of the scale, were developedprior to establishing the final test framework. Test development occurred in five general stages: conceptualdevelopment, pilot, national tryout, standardization, and final assembly and evaluation.Conceptual Development StageThe conceptual development stage was aimed at identifying revision goals and research questions, as well asdelineating the method for achieving the revision goals. Extensive literature reviews and consultations withcustomer service representatives from Pearson were conducted to provide an initial set of revision goals.The following sources of information also provided invaluable guidance in the conceptualization of theresearch for the WIAT–III.Market ResearchTelephone surveys were conducted with WIAT–II users and special education practitioners. The researchteam, advisory panel, and assessment consultants reviewed the survey results. Based upon the cumulativefindings, the working blueprint was created and a research version of the scale was developed for use in thepilot stage. Subsequent online surveys were conducted to obtain customer perspectives on issues related tothe final structure of the scale (e.g., subtest preference, subtest composition of composite scores).11Copyright © 2009 NCS Pearson, Inc. Normative data copyright © 2009 NCS Pearson, Inc. All rights reserved.