On the Virtues and Vices of the Standard Error of Measurement

Abstract

Although it has been known for over a half-century that the standard error of measurement is in many respects superior to the reliability coefficient for purposes of evaluating the fallibility of a psychological test, current textbooks and journal literature in tests and measurements still devote far more attention to test reliability than to the standard error. The present paper provides a list of ten salient features of the standard error, contrasting it to the reliability coefficient, and concludes that the standard error of measurement should be regarded as a primary characteristic of a mental test.