Standards for the development and review of instrumental studies: Considerations about test selection in psychological research

Abstract

This paper discusses the criteria that should be considered when selecting
\npsychological assessment tests in a research context. Traditionally attention has focused
\n– and still does – on the stages that must govern any process of test construction/
\nadaptation. This work is guided by internationally accepted standards, whose scientific
\nimportance is agreed by the scientific community. However, beyond any construction/
\nadaptation process, the use of tests is a constant feature of psychological research, so
\nit is of vital importance to select the tests adequately. For this reason, in this theoretical
\nstudy we provide a summary of the criteria that should guide test construction/adaptation
\nas well as some general guidelines to consider when selecting tests for psychological
\nresearch. The information presented is organized into six sections, each of which
\ncorresponds to a different stage in the process of test creation: a) conceptual definition
\nof the construct to assess; b) information about item construction and qualitative
\nassessment; c) results of the statistical analysis of the items; d) empirical evidence of
\nthe internal structure of the test; e) results of the reliability estimation; and f) external
\nevidence of score validity. The study ends with a reflection on the scope of the proposed
\nguidelines and the importance of using clear criteria to select the tests used in research.