| Achievement test | An instrument used to measure the proficiency level of individuals in given areas of knowledge or skill.
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| Age-equivalent score | A score that indicates the age level for which a particular performance (score) is typical.
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| Aptitude test | An instrument used to predict performance in a future situation.
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| Criterion-referenced instrument | An instrument that specifies a particular goal, or criterion, for students to achieve.
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| Data | Any information obtained about a sample or a population.
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| Derived scores | A score obtained from a raw score in order to aid in interpretation. Derived scores provide a quantitative measure of each student's performance relative to a comparison group.
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| Flowchart | Types of tally sheets used to indicate the frequency and direction of a participant's remarks.
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| Grade-equivalent score | A score that indicates the grade level for which a particular performance (score) is typical.
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| Informants | Research study participants who provide information about the main subjects or events of a study.
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| Instrumentation | Instruments and procedures used in collecting data in a study.
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| Interval scale | A measurement scale that, in addition to ordering scores from high to low, also establishes a uniform unit in the scale so that equal distance between two scores is of equal magnitude.
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| Likert scale | A self-reporting instrument in which an individual responds to a series of statements by indicating the extent of agreement. Each choice is given a numerical value, and the total score is presumed to indicate the attitude or belief in question.
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| Nominal scale | A measurement scale that classifies elements into two or more categories, the numbers indicating that the elements are different, but not according to order or magnitude.
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| Norm group | The sample group used to develop norms for an instrument.
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| Norm-referenced instrument | An instrument that permits comparison of an individual score to the scores of a group of individuals on the same instrument.
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| Objectivity | A lack of bias or prejudice.
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| Ordinal scale | A measurement scale that ranks individuals in terms of the degree to which they possess a characteristic of interest.
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| Percentile rank | An index of relative position indicating the percentage of scores that fall at or below a given score.
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| Performance checklist | Used to keep track of behaviors that occur.
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| Performance instrument | Measures an individual's performance on a particular task.
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| Projective device | An instrument that includes vague stimuli that subjects are asked to interpret. There are no correct answers or replies.
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| Questionnaire | A list of questions that the participant answers in writing or by marking answers on an answer sheet.
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| Ratio scale | A measurement scale that, in addition to being an interval scale, also has an absolute zero in the scale.
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| Raw score | The score attained by an individual on the items on a test or other instrument.
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| Reliability | The degree to which scores obtained with an instrument are consistent measures of whatever the instrument measures.
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| Semantic differential | An attitude scale using pairs of opposites such as hot-cold.
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| Sociometric device | An instrument used on individuals to evaluate their peers.
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| Standard score | A derived score that expresses how far a given raw score is from the mean, in terms of standard deviation units.
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| Tally sheet | A device used by researchers to report the frequency of student behaviors, activities, or remarks.
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| Unobtrusive measure | A measure obtained without subjects being aware that they are being observed or measured, or by examining inanimate objects (such as school suspension lists) that can be used in order to obtain desired information.
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| Validity | The degree to which correct inferences can be made based on results from an instrument; depends not only on the instrument itself, but also on the instrumentation process and the characteristics of the group studied.
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| Written-response instrument | An instrument requiring written or marked responses.
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