An integrative review of the NIPR-developed intermediate mental-alertness test.

Abstract

In this study a rationale is provided for the need for integrative sychometric studies in addition to exploratory studies. The psychometric concepts of validity, reliability, test comparability and bias are reviewed. Furthermore the concepts of the nomological network and meta-analysis are reviewed with regard to their relevance for integrating findings of psychometric research. The historical origins of the Intermediate Mental Alertness Test (IMAT) are traced with a view to distinguishing it from a number of related tests. Psychometric information is summarised from a wide cross-section of both published and unpublished studies on the IMAT, and the findings of these studies are reviewed in terms of the reliability and validity of the IMAT across different contexts and groups. It is found that there are an insufficient number of validity studies using similar criteria for the meta-analysis technique to be applied. An attempt is therefore made to interpret trends from the research studies reviewed, and recommendations are provided in terms of reporting standards for future validity studies in order to facilitate integrative research techniques such as meta-analysis.