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The attenuation paradox and the distribution of ability
Author(s) -
Nicewander W. Alan,
Price James M.,
Mendoza Jorge L.,
Henderson Diana
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
british journal of mathematical and statistical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.157
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 2044-8317
pISSN - 0007-1102
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8317.1977.tb00740.x
Subject(s) - attenuation , reliability (semiconductor) , mathematics , distribution (mathematics) , class (philosophy) , point (geometry) , test (biology) , phenomenon , statistics , statistical physics , econometrics , mathematical analysis , computer science , physics , artificial intelligence , optics , geometry , geology , paleontology , power (physics) , quantum mechanics
The attenuation paradox refers to the increase in test validity that accompanies increasing test reliability up to a point beyond which validity decreases with further increases in reliability. It is shown that, for perfectly discriminating items, this phenomenon can occur regardless of the distribution of underlying ability. A numerical example is also given for a class of non‐perfectly discriminating items and a rectangular distribution of ability.