Remaining relevant: Reflections on critical incidents in psychological test development in South Africa.

Abstract

In this presentation, critical incidents in the South African context that affected test development policies and practices are considered. Anecdotes and personal perspectives illustrate the response to these incidents and I highlight the implications thereof for the test development domain. The presentation is structured in terms of three topics, namely infrastructure and ideology, the challenge of regulation and training as a shared responsibility, and methodological developments and conceptual concerns. The emphasis is on relevance in the local context – an issue that continues to shape this domain.

Professor Moche, the Vice-principal for Teaching, Learning, Community Engagement and Student Support, Professor Phillips, the Executive Dean of the College of Human Sciences, Prof Mojapelo-Batka, the Chair of Department for Psychology and also the respondent tonight, colleagues, family and friends – good evening