2006/09/01 by Denny Borsboom · 2 citations
Mathematics · Computer Science · Decision Sciences · #Statistics Education and Methodologies #Advanced Statistical Modeling Techniques #Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
paper · pdf · doi:10.1007/s11336-006-1447-6
openalex publication_date 2006/09/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
This paper analyzes the theoretical, pragmatic, and substantive factors that have hampered the integration between psychology and psychometrics. Theoretical factors include the operationalist mode of thinking which is common throughout psychology, the dominance of classical test theory, and the use of "construct validity" as a catch-all category for a range of challenging psychometric problems. Pragmatic factors include the lack of interest in mathematically precise thinking in psychology, inadequate representation of psychometric modeling in major statistics programs, and insufficient mathematical training in the psychological curriculum. Substantive factors relate to the absence of psychological theories that are sufficiently strong to motivate the structure of psychometric models. Following the identification of these problems, a number of promising recent developments are discussed, and suggestions are made to further the integration of psychology and psychometrics.