Re: Technical Writer tests (again)

[<neilson -at- windstream -dot- net>]

I think that the test is poorly designed. The combination of multiple-choice,
true-false, and fill-in-the-blank questions, where all score the same value
and in the same manner, is statistically invalid. Some questions contain the
answer within the form of the question, so that they only test "test-taking"
ability and not other knowledge. The answer to one of the questions (3.13)
depends on whose stylesheet is in use.

Before using such a test, I would like to see a validation study. The vendor
did not suggest that such a thing exists. On the other hand, if one is not
competent to interview technical writers, this test just might prevent one
from hiring a nincompoop.

My personal method of skill inventory consists of a "pop quiz." When talking
to junior-high students about their planned careers, I need to know their
level of mathematical ability. I ask, out of the blue, "What's six times nine?"

Here is the scoring:
  A - "Fifty-four!"
  B - "Uh, let me see, that's fifty-four."
  C - "Oh jeez. Ummmm.... Fifty-four?"
  F - "Oh, I'm no good at math. Uhhhh, ohhhh, jeez... Forty-seven?"

--Peter Neilson


Dan Goldstein observed:
> Look, kids, a description of grammar testing that itself contains
> grammatical errors.
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Dori Green
> > Sent: Monday, May 14, 2007 1:16 PM
> > 
> > ... The test can be found at 
> > http://www.klariti.com/Technical-Writing-Tests/index.shtml


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

Now shipping: Help & Manual 4 with RoboHelp(r) import! New editor,
full Unicode support. Create help files, web-based help and PDF in up
to 106 languages with Help & Manual: http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.