ABSTRACT
Numerous pilot studies lead up to the Development and Standardization Editions of a test. In general, they are smaller and more narrowly focused in scope than later research. The focus of validity research in the Development Edition phase is somewhat different than in the Standardization Edition phase. The Development Edition should not be viewed as an unnecessary step in the test development process by clinicians anxious to develop clinically relevant assessment methods. The reliability results help the test developer decide which items to include on the final edition. Test developers sometimes make the mistake of waiting until the final standardization edition to complete reliability studies. The item analysis portion of the Development Edition gives the test developer some of the most objective information upon which to evaluate the proposed test. The methodology selected depends on the quantity of data in the Development Edition.
