ABSTRACT
In this chapter we describe the principles and processes of evidence-centered design (ECD), a comprehensive assessment design framework introduced by Mislevy, Steinberg and Almond (2003). Taking its cue from developments in fields such as expert systems (Breese, Goldman & Wellman, 1994), software design (Gamma, Helm, Johnson & Vlissides, 1994) and legal argumentation (Tillers & Schum, 1991), ECD offers a method for articulating and constructing assessment arguments and the processes that instantiate them. Through a system of process layers, structures and representations, ECD facilitates communication, coherence and efficiency in assessment design and task creation.
