Alchemy and beyond: Indexing the Defining Issues Test.

For over 20 years, the Defining Issues Test (DIT) has used the P index. In view of criticisms, a search has been underway for a new index. The authors propose a working definition of construct validity, systematically reanalyze existing data sets (classic studies) with new indexes, and make comparisons to trends obtained using the P index. The criteria for construct validity are (a) sensitivity to educational interventions, (b) differentiation of age-educational groups, (c) upward movement in longitudinal studies, (d) correlations with moral comprehension, (e) correlations with prosocial behavior, and (f) correlations with civil libertarian attitudes. As meta-analysis demonstrates, a new index, N2, generally outperforms the P index. In the early 1970s, Larry Kohlberg found amusement by comparing the research project on the Defining Issues Test (DIT) to alchemy. The alchemists dream of the middle ages had been to transmute the base metals into gold. At the time, Kohlberg was beginning work on revising his scoring system and was mindful of the complexities involved in analyzing moral judgments and the arduous work required