Size and strength : do we need both to measure vocabulary knowledge?

This article describes the development and validation of a test of vocabulary size and strength. The first part of the article sets out the theoretical rationale for the test, and describes how the size and strength constructs have been conceptualized and operationalised. The second part of the arti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Language testing 2004-04, Vol.21 (2), p.202-226
Main Authors: Laufer, Batia, Elder, Cathie, Hill, Kathryn, Congdon, Peter
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Associative Learning
Computer assisted testing
Foreign language learning
Language acquisition
Language tests
Learning Processes
Linguistics
Rasch model
Second language learning
Studies
Test Construction
Test validity
Vocabulary
Vocabulary Development
Vocabulary learning
Vocabulary size
Vocabulary skills
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Summary:This article describes the development and validation of a test of vocabulary size and strength. The first part of the article sets out the theoretical rationale for the test, and describes how the size and strength constructs have been conceptualized and operationalised. The second part of the article focuses on the process of test validation, which involved the testing of the hypotheses implicit in the test design, using both unidimensional and multifaceted Rasch analyses. Possible applications for the test include determining the status of a learner's vocabulary development as well as screening and placement. A model for administering the test in computer adaptive mode is also proposed. The study has implications both for the design and delivery of this test as well as for theories of vocabulary acquisition. [Author abstract]
ISSN:0265-5322
1477-0946
DOI:10.1191/0265532204lt277oa