Generalizability Theory

Generalizability theory offers an extensive conceptual framework and a powerful set of statistical procedures for characterizing and quantifying the fallibility of measurements. It liberalizes classical test theory, in part through the application of analysis of variance procedures that focus on variance components. As such, generalizability theory is perhaps the most broadly defined measurement model currently in existence. It is applicable to virtually any scientific field that attends to measurements and their errors, and it enables a multifacteted perspective on measurement error and its components. This book provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date treatment of generalizability theory. In addition, it provides a synthesis of those parts of the statistical literature that are directly applicable to generalizability theory. The principal intended audience is measurement practitioners and graduate students in the behavioral and social sciences, although a few examples and references are provided from other fields. Readers will benefit from some familiarity with classical test theory and analysis of variance, but the treatment of most topics does not presume specific background. Robert L. Brennan is E.F. Lindquist Professor of Educational Measurement at the University of Iowa. He is an acknowledged expert in generalizability theory, has authored numerous publications on the theory, and has taught many courses and workshops on generalizability. The author has been Vice-President of the American Educational Research Association and President of the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME). He has received NCME Awards for Outstanding Technical Contributions to Educational Measurement and Career Contributions to Educational Measurement.