Download

Download the ITC Statement on the Use of Tests and Other Assessment Instruments for Research Purposes. (PDF document, original English version)

Translations

The ITC Statement on the Use of Tests and Other Assessment Instruments for Research Purposes: Croatian translation

The ITC Statement on the Use of Tests and Other Assessment Instruments for Research Purposes: Polish translation

The ITC Statement on the Use of Tests and Other Assessment Instruments for Research Purposes: Portuguese translation

The ITC Statement on the Use of Tests and Other Assessment Instruments for Research Purposes: Spanish translation

The ITC Statement on the Use of Tests and Other Assessment Instruments for Research Purposes: Spanish (Argentina) translation

The ITC Statement on the Use of Tests and Other Assessment Instruments for Research Purposes: Ukrainian translation

The ITC Statement on the Use of Tests and Other Assessment Instruments for Research Purposes: Romanian translation

About the ITC Statement on the Use of Tests and Other Assessment Instruments for Research Purposes

Tests and other assessment instruments (e.g. ability and aptitude measures, job simulation exercises, work samples, interview guides) generally are developed for use in research as well as in professional practices (e.g. work and organizational, clinical, or educational). The purposes of tests used in research typically differ from their use in institutional and professional practices. For example, in research practices, test data typically are used to evaluate phenomena (e.g. the test’s characteristics or the relationships between test scores and one variable on another) with the goal to advance scientific knowledge, understanding, and use. In contrast, in institutional and clinical practices, test data typically are used to evaluate and make decisions that may impact individual test-takers.

Legal and professional standards that guide test use in institutional and clinical practice are found in various sources (AERA, APA, & NCME, 1999; APA, 2010). However, similar standards that guide test use in research are less common yet also are needed.

This document is intended to promote the belief that test use in research should abide by legal and ethical principles as well as best practice standards and that tests should be used by competent professionals who focus attention on the rights of test-takers and other parties involved in the testing process. Issues discussed in this document highlight these considerations.