ABSTRACT
This chapter first briefly describes how testing has been used, particularly in surveys, and a summary of the history of how measurement theory developed, and then describes why measurement theory applies to surveys. This chapter presents a brief introduction to the two most commonly used test theories, which we keep in mind when we design our survey items and when we analyze our survey data. The two major measurement theories (classical test theory and item response theory) are introduced in terms of how they are used today with survey research. While classical test theory is likely the more commonly used, item response theory provides greater depth of information about items and person responses and has seen increased use.
