Final answer:
Instruments that provide norm group scores use a standardization process to ensure consistent administration, scoring, and interpretation of results. These standards are based on norms collected from a large sample and the tests often include reliability scales to assure consistency over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Instruments that provide norm group scores, such as the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, employ a standardization method where the administration, scoring, and interpretation of results are consistent. Norming is achieved by administering a test to a large population, which allows for the collection of comparative data among various groups. It is important to note that norms are indicative of what a group knows, not what they should know. The test's norming and standardization ensure that any new scores obtained are reliable.
When discussing reliability scales, such as those used in the MMPI-2-RF, we refer to the consistency of an instrument over time. Research, such as the study by Beutler, Nussbaum, and Meredith on police officers, can show how scores on such tests may change due to factors like job-related stress over time.
Questionnaires are a common method for collecting quantitative data, and they often feature yes-or-no, multiple-choice questions. The data from such questionnaires can be numerically analyzed for statistical evaluation.
Data measured on a ratio scale is particularly informative because it not only enables the evaluation of differences between scores but also allows for ratio calculations, making it a powerful tool for interpreting test scores.
Objective tests, such as self-report inventories, leverage multiple-choice items or scales to assess constructs like personality. These are designed to be versatile measurement tools that give consistent, norm-referenced scores.