Methodological Issues in Measuring the Development of Character

Abstract

In this article I provide an overview of the methodological issues involved in measuring constructs relevant to character development and education. I begin with a nontechnical overview of the 3 fundamental psychometric properties of measurement: reliability, validity, and equivalence. Developing and evaluating measures to ensure evidence of all 3 psychometric properties has substantial impact on the quality of character development and education research. I then offer specific suggestions for using prior psychometric evidence in planning studies, for adequately reporting psychometric properties of measures used in studies, for conducting studies with a primary focus on evaluating psychometric properties, and for using meta-analysis as a methodological tool for synthesizing existing evidence of psychometric properties of scales.