Validating Research Instruments

Scenario #3: Archival data contain standardized test scores intended to assess students’ knowledge and skills in in core academic subjects. Develop an original response to the following questions: How were the instruments validated according to their source articles? What steps did the researchers take to validate them? To what extent do you think the instrument is valid? Do you think the researchers and peer reviewers did a sufficient job validating the instrument to make it reliable enough to be administered in various contexts and situations? Why or why not? Which columns in each dataset best represent independent and dependent variables, respectively? Why? NOTE: If you chose scenario #3, research your state’s own achievement tests (or a national test) and enter the base proficiency rate into cell I4 in Microsoft Excel. The spreadsheet will regenerate random values accordingly. Describe how your state validates its standardized test instruments and the extent to which you believe it is valid.