Generalizability theory: 1973–1980

Abstract

This paper reviews the developments in generalizability theory from 1973 to 1980. The first section presents a sketch of generalizability theory. The second section reviews theoretical contributions about (1) problems associated with estimating variance components, including sampling variability and negative estimates, (2) fixed facets, (3) criterion‐referenced measurement, (4) symmetry, (5) multivariate generalizability, and (6) sampling in observational measurement. The final section presents an illustrative application of generalizability theory, including univariate and multivariate generalizability analyses of balanced and unbalanced designs, and Bayesian estimation of variance components.