The standardization of tests: criteria and criticisms.

Abstract

With the great increase in the use of standardized tests in the field of speech pathology it seems worthwhile to present information on the process of standardizing tests. This paper presents the procedures involved in one aspect of the process, the establishment of norms. The procedures described are the following: (1) the choice of variables which affect scores on the behavior being tested and the selection of reference groups which embody these variables, (2) the determination of an adequate sample size, (3) the use of a randomization process in choosing the sample, (4) testing within a limited time span, and (5) statistical treatment of the resulting data. To illustrate these procedures and their use as criteria for judging the adequacy of the standardization of specific tests, three instruments which are commonly used in speech clinics are critically discussed.