Evaluating strategies for detecting test faking

Abstract

Ensuring the validity of individual responses to psychometric tests is important in a wide range of psychology practice and research. This study compares a number of methods for detecting test faking on a measure not designed with explicit validity checks. A total of 270 students took part in two related studies, one using a standard ‘pencil and paper’ test presentation and the other a computer‐based presentation. Techniques such as responses to specific test items and speed of responding may be useful for assessing the validity of responses. The implications are that such procedures may offer methods for identifying faked responding in a range of psychometric instruments where previously this has not been possible.

Citation

Davies, J. and Hepworth, C. (2009), "Evaluating strategies for detecting test faking", The British Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 11 No. 1, pp. 25-29. https://doi.org/10.1108/14636646200900006