Who are the judges? Individual traits of test developers and test items characteristics

Abstract

An overview of foreign studies analyzing the effects of individual traits of test developers on item characteristics is presented. Although the existence of such effects seems obvious the relevant studies are relatively few. In many cases such effects may lower the developed instruments validity. The current overview opens this issue discussion in Russian psychodiagnostics and is to draw the researchers’ attention to its importance. Manifestations of a test developer personality in knowledge tests, personality inventories and professional skills tests are considered. Some recommendations for minimizing and/or compensating the effects of individual traits of test developers on his/her creative products are formulated.