Some practical issues in equating

Abstract

The practice of equating frequently involves not only the choice of a statistical equating procedure but also consideration of practical issues that bear upon the use and/or interpretation of equating results. In this paper, major emphasis is given to issues involved in identifying, quantifying, and (to the extent possible) eliminating various sources of error in equating. Other topics considered include content specifications and equating, equating in the context of cutting scores, reequating, and the effects of a security breach on equating. To simplify discussion, some issues are treated from the linear equating perspective in Kolen and Brennan (1987).