Testing and the Paradoxes of Fairness

Howard Wainer, Daniel H. Robinson (University of Texas, Arlington)

$179.95 $144.26

Hardback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Cambridge University Press
30 October 2025

Social research & statistics; Educational psychology; Educational strategies & policy; Examinations & assessment

How can admissions officers, employers, and scholarship committees maximize the accuracy of prediction of individual performance while minimizing adverse impact due to group differences? Testing offers a straightforward solution to the first half of this problem. Tests are the best way to predict how someone will perform in school, in the military, in medicine, or while controlling airline traffic and flying a plane. Tests are also useful beyond personnel selection, such as for selection of a college major or courses. However, the other side of this problem is more complex. Using tests is always accompanied by group differences that could result in continued systemic discrimination by limiting opportunities for those who are marginalized. This book charts an approach to using tests that incorporates evidence, transparency, and societal values to maximize efficiency and fairness.

By: Howard Wainer, Daniel H. Robinson (University of Texas, Arlington)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Weight: 485g
ISBN: 9781009576871
ISBN 10: 1009576879
Pages: 228
Publication Date: 30 October 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Howard Wainer is an award-winning American statistician and research scientist. His areas of work include testing, graphical methods for data analysis and communication, and robust statistical methodology. He has served on the faculty of the University of Chicago, at the Bureau of Social Science Research during the Carter Administration, and as Principal Research Scientist in the Research Statistics Group at Educational Testing Service for twenty-one years, and in 2016, he retired after fifteen years as Distinguished Research Scientist at the National Board of Medical Examiners. Daniel H. Robinson is the K-16 Mind, Brain, and Education Endowed Chair at the University of Texas at Arlington. He received his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology in 1993 from the University of Nebraska where he majored in both learning/cognition and statistics/research. He previously taught at Mississippi State University, the University of South Dakota, the University of Louisville, the University of Texas at Austin, and Colorado State University. He has served as department chair, director, and associate dean of research.

Reviews for Testing and the Paradoxes of Fairness

'There is not a more pragmatically effective, yet maligned field in the behavioral sciences than the measurement of human abilities. It has been effective precisely because it has been built around measurement, and yet it is maligned precisely because it has been so effective in addressing real world issues. In 'Testing and the Paradoxes of Fairness' Howard Wainer and Daniel Robinson masterfully describe how and why this has occurred.' David Lubinski, Intelligence 'One of the best books I ever read on the place of testing in our culture.' David C. Berliner, Arizona State University 'Wainer and Robinson present an unblinking, data-based look at the discriminatory effects of both standardized testing—and the absence of standardized testing—on admissions, selection, licensing and other personnel decisions. The results for individuals, groups, institutions and society make clear the substantial costs of ignoring evidence in these decisions.' Arthur E. Wise, Education Author, Advocate and Policymaker