International Journal of Language Testing

International Journal of Language Testing

A Critical Book Review of "Ethics and Context in Second Language Testing: Rethinking Validity in Theory and Practice" Edited by M. Rafael Salaberry, Albert Weideman and Wei-Li Hsu (2023)

Document Type : Review Article

Author
Ali Momeni
Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/ijlt.2024.461840.1351
Abstract
The essential requirement of validity in second language assessment and testing is of paramount importance since it guarantees that tests properly gauge the targeted constructs and produce propitious interpretations. In this light, there seems to be a pressing need to carefully assess outdated conceptions of validity in English language testing to ensure they are in lockstep with current linguistic and sociocultural circumstances. This review examines the book "Ethics and Context in Second Language Testing: Rethinking Validity in Theory and Practice," edited by M. Rafael Salaberry, Albert Weideman, and Wei-Li Hsu (2023), and it unravels new horizons for expanding the comprehension of validity beyond traditional frameworks. The review underscores the primary subjects addressed in the book's content, such as ethical issues, contextual factors affecting test design, and novel approaches for assessing validity in real-world settings. The review also stresses the book's critical analysis of existing paradigms and recommends a more nuanced perspective on validity that incorporates ethical considerations and contextual significance. To this end, the current review constitutes an important reference for researchers and practitioners to encourage them to critically examine and reframe validity in second language testing.
Keywords
Ethics in language testing
Validation process
Validity
Validity in practice
Validity in theory