Making Measures - Softcover

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Ben Wright

Ben has had a remarkable journey in measurement. As a very young man, Ben began his career in science as a research physicist at the Bell Telephone Laboratories with Nobel Laureate Charles H. Townes, investigating microwave absorption spectra of iodine monochloride. At the University of Chicago, Ben worked with Nobel Laureate Robert S. Mulliken, investigating ultra violet absorption spectra of organic molecules.

Concerns about care of emotionally disturbed children prompted him to change careers. He remained a scientist, however, now investigate staff problems encountered in children’s institutions. He designed research employing observation, life histories, interviewing, reports, test construction, and factor and variance analysis to assess treatment of childhood schizophrenia at the Orthogenic School of the University of Chicago under the direction of Bruno Bettleheim.

Dissatisfied with measure reliability produced by conventional social science statistical procedures, he saw a need for a reliable new method. In 1960, he found a breakthrough in the work of Danish mathematician Georg Rasch. Ben founded the Measurement Evaluation and Statistical Analysis Laboratory (MESA) Psychometrics Laboratory at the University of Chicago. Developing and applying methods for constructing and verifying measures as director of MESA, he has taught hundreds of colleagues and students to understand and implement useful objective measurement and authored 12 books and leading statistics and measurement software packages.

Mark H. Stone

Mark is director of research and professor at the Adler of Professional Psychology of Chicago. He teaches courses in research methods, statistics and psychometrics, assessment of dementia, and other neuro-psychological topics. He earned a graduate degree in music theory and musicology and doctorates in psychology. A licensed clinical psychologist, he maintains a consulting practice and donates time to a community health agency.

In 2001, he retired as the provost and vice president of the Adler School. He met Ben Wright in the 1970s when they worked as consultants. After Ben demonstrated the power of Rasch analysis, Mark suggested they write a book. Best Test Design (1979) was the result. They also co-authored Measurement Essentials (2000).

Mark is also a diplomate in Adlerian Psychology, a member of the National Register of Health Service Providers in psychology, and a nationally certified alcohol and drug counselor, and a certified supervisor.