Measurement and Evaluation in Human Performance

Measurement and Evaluation in Human Performance James R. Morrow, Jr., Allen W. Jackson, James G. Disch, and Dale P. Mood This is a first-edition textbook written by a four-member team with impressive credentials in the area of measurement and evaluation in physical education. As a professional educator, I can certainly agree with the authors' contention that “Testing and measurement are central to the field of human performance.” Thus the need exists for a concise, effective text to guide us through the important evaluative decisions we are faced with daily. The text is written toward undergraduates taking the traditional course in measurement and evaluation in a physical education/exercise science curriculum. While there have been a number of textbooks recently updated or introduced for this purpose, this text stands apart from the other texts as being truly interactive with the reader/learner. The authors introduce several new, unique features to their textbook that increase the opportunity for understanding the concepts introduced. Interactional learning is the key to the text with its liberal use of Mastery Items. Mastery Items are “real-life” situations presented to the reader for solution that underscore the recent concepts or key points presented. Answers to selected Mastery Items can be found at the end of the text. These Mastery Items offer a valuable opportunity for classroom discussion or independent assignments. Along with the Mastery Items is the inclusion of a statistical software package with each textbook. Depending on the purchaser's preference, IBM/PC- or Apple Macintosh-compatible versions of MYSTAT are included. MYSTAT is an abbreviated version of the statistical software, SYSTAT. MYSTAT is intricately linked to many of the key concepts throughout the text, and solutions to some of the Mastery Items are only possible through the use of MYSTAT. Best of all, MYSTAT is a stand-alone statistical software package that allows one to enter their own data sets for analysis. The authors have increased the utility of their text by offering a“running” glossary of key terms defined in the margins, by having several examples of the key concepts using ample descriptive figures and graphs, and by highlighting key words and sentences to underscore their importance. In sum, the text's presentation of material is unique and demands a “hands-on” or interactive approach to receive full benefit. I am impressed with the presentational approach of the text and believe, if used properly, an enhancement of the learning process will result. However, should one choose to avoid these “extras,” then the result would not be as desirable. Interactional learning demands the participation of the learner. The text covers traditional measurement and evaluation fare. However, the concepts of a test's validity and reliability are shown and demonstrated throughout the text. On a negative note, the chapters that deal with health-related physical fitness for both youth and adults contain little valuable information on the proper conductance of the individual tests discussed, yet the authors state that failure to follow standardized procedures limits the validity and reliability of a test. Overall, I recommend this text to those who want to practice an interactional, computer-based approach to the learning/teaching of measurement and evaluation.