In this tribute to Benjamin Wright, former students and colleagues recall the foundational contributions he made to the theory and practice of measurement in a career spanning over five decades. Wright is recognized as the foremost proponent of the psychometric approach of Georg Rasch, a Danish mathematician, whose ideas continue to provoke controversy. Wright's colleagues and students, and students of their students, are leaders in educational research and practice around the world. This volume relates the extent of Wright's influence far beyond education and psychology, where his work in measurement began, into health care and the social sciences at large. The editors and contributors-all leading measurement scholars-trace the development of themes in Wright's work, identifying the roots of today's formative assessment methods, the integration of quantitative and qualitative data, and the contrast between scientific and statistical methods. These previously unpublished papers reflect on Wright's lifelong passion for making measurement both more scientific and more meaningful. They recount how Wright's insight, energy, and gregarious nature led him to produce multiple innovations in computing, estimation methods, model development, fit assessment, and reliability theory, stimulating practical applications in dozens of fields, serving on over 120 dissertation committees, and founding several professional societies. The volume includes three reprinted articles by Wright that provide insights into his early engagement with Rasch's ideas. Psychological and Social Measurement will be welcomed by the broad international measurement community of professionals and researchers working in such diverse fields as education, psychology, health sciences, management, and metrology. Scientists working in any field involving measurement science and technology will appreciate an inside look at this seminal figure and a new perspective on the expanding conversation across the sciences about measurement and the communication of meaningful, transparent information.

"Me Three Return to Darkness" is a fictional story based on a retrospective look at the type and quality of mental health care that the author received during the last thirty years. It is set in West Michigan with the three main characters, Doug Hines, Ashley Johnston, and Kim James. Doug has recently written his first book and through it gained financial freedom. He is in the process of building his dream house when he is introduced to Ashley and Kim who are on a three month vacation to see America. The three begin a relationship and move into the small loft apartment over Doug's workshop where he is living till he gets the house ready to move into. Conversations around the evening camp fire, aboard Doug's boat, and while the ladies help him with various projects around the house are used to enlighten readers about the state of the mental heath care system and support the changes to the system that the book recommends.

This book describes how to use test equating methods in practice. The non-commercial software R is used throughout the book to illustrate how to perform different equating methods when scores data are collected under different data collection designs, such as equivalent groups design, single group design, counterbalanced design and non equivalent groups with anchor test design. The R packages equate, kequate and SNSequate, among others, are used to practically illustrate the different methods, while simulated and real data sets illustrate how the methods are conducted with the program R. The book covers traditional equating methods including, mean and linear equating, frequency estimation equating and chain equating, as well as modern equating methods such as kernel equating, local equating and combinations of these. It also offers chapters on observed and true score item response theory equating and discusses recent developments within the equating field. More specifically it covers the issue of including covariates within the equating process, the use of different kernels and ways of selecting bandwidths in kernel equating, and the Bayesian nonparametric estimation of equating functions. It also illustrates how to evaluate equating in practice using simulation and different equating specific measures such as the standard error of equating, percent relative error, different that matters and others.

There are a number of paper and pencil instruments designed to gather data from people with OCD. The most common among them the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale which underwent an extensive and much needed revision in 2006. The Komor Comprehensive OCD Inventory (KCOCDI) was developed from the point of view of the person with OCD. As such it focuses on collecting information that will lead to one very specific goal - assisting the individual OCD sufferer My goal in its construction was to elicit the kind of information which OCDers have told me they want their treatment providers to have. Hopefully the KCOCDI accomplishes that. The KCOCDI is designed in sections so that separate assessments can be made of the range of symptoms the individual is experiencing, the intensity of those symptoms, the conditions which might work for or against them in the healing process, and the presence of Special Characteristics as well as co-existing obsessive compulsive spectrum problems.

Beginning with historical background and early approaches to testing, Measuring Humans: Fundamentals of Psychometrics in Selecting and Interpreting Tests gives students a foundational understanding of critical concepts in the discipline. The book covers test classifications, criteria, and norms, as well as test construction, reliability, and validity. Each chapter begins with a concrete, student-friendly example of testing and builds on that example throughout the chapter to demonstrate the principles of psychometrics at work. All chapters include a review section that highlights a specific test from beginning to end, and examines how each principle of psychometrics has been incorporated into it. Designed to provide the context necessary for addressing complex topics, the book is an invaluable resource for learning how to select and interpret tests. Clear and accessible, Measuring Humans can be used by those with a minimal background in statistics. It is well suited to courses on measurement and testing in psychology, education, and business, or classes that address evaluation in social science settings.

Qualitative diary research is a unique tool with strengths that set it apart from other research methods. The diary prioritizes events embedded in context and time, a perspective that serves to destabilize constants, revealing the complex intersectionality of experience. Over the last several centuries, the mechanics of diary-keeping have evolved from simple records of ephemera into a primary research method. Today both archival and solicited diaries are used by social scientists who employ a range of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method data collection technologies. Researchers may consider the very possibility of conducting a qualitative diary study with some hesitation-in addition to sounding like a good deal of work, the method seems somewhat off the beaten path, a bit mysterious, and even kitschy. With a better understanding of what is involved, those who are considering the method may come to find that a diary study is well worth their while. In Diary Methods, Laurie L. Hyers provides her readers with a wealth of guidance and expert insight to ensure the success of their qualitative diary studies. The history of the diary from cultural phenomenon to social scientific method are explored, followed by a discussion of the use of archival and solicited diaries in qualitative designs, diary data collection and management, qualitative analysis and coding, composition and diary report writing, evaluating diary research, and special ethical considerations when using diaries in research.