More than 300 measurement scientists from six continents converged on the New Hampshire Seacoast for the seventy-third international meeting of the Psychometric Society, June 29 through July 2. Measured Progress hosted the conference, which took place at the University of New Hampshire campus in Durham. 

The Psychometric Society is a not-for-profit organization devoted to the advancement of quantitative measurement practices in psychology, education, and the social sciences. The society includes nearly 800 members from 46 countries. Measured Progress and others in the educational assessment field rely on the theoretical approaches and measurement models constructed by psychometricians to develop valid educational tests and analyze the data derived from student testing.

"Measured Progress hosting this meeting is clear recognition of our role in the psychometric research community," said conference host Michael Nering, director of psychometrics at Measured Progress. "Our psychometricians make extensive use of the many statistics and models developed by the members of the society, and hosting this event is our way of showing our appreciation for their contributions."

This year’s conference events included various keynote sessions, workshops, and invited symposia, during which internationally renowned scientists in the field of psychometrics, psychology, and statistics made presentations. Interactive sessions allowed for lengthy discussions on current psychometric research. The conference also fostered the growth of students interested in the field. Graduate students attended a career session, presented their study projects, and met with senior researchers from around the world.  

For the first time, the society presented career awards. Recipients R. Darrell Bock and Karl G. Jöreskog, distinguished professors at the University of Chicago and the University of Upssala, Sweden, have made significant contributions to psychometric science in the form of numerous publications and presentations at international conferences.  

The 2008 conference culminated with a panel discussion during which former presidents took a look at the past, present, and future of psychometrics. The lively and engaging dialogue gave attendees an understanding of the history of psychometrics, as well as insight into how current issues might shape the organization's future.   

Former presidents offered their opinions on expanding the scope of psychometrics to the behavioral sciences, as well as to new applications in biometrics, economics, marketing, and medicine. Panel members and the audience also discussed the increasing demand for psychometricians in many industries, in contrast with the shortage of students interested in the field. 

Fumiko Samejima of the University of Tennessee acknowledged that psychometricians are now sought in all industries. "I feel we have accomplished something, but we still need to be pioneers," she said. She thanked the first generation of psychometricians, who established the field without the help of computers, and pointed out that, unfortunately, "basic mathematics skills are deteriorating, but without mathematics we can't accomplish psychometrics." 

Current President Paul De Boeck of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium praised the quality of the conference and thanked the staff from Measured Progress. "It has been a great pleasure for the Psychometric Society and for me to collaborate with Mike Nering and the team from Measured Progress to organize this event. They have made the conference into a great success, and we are very grateful for the kind support of the event." 

Terry Ackerman of the University of North Carolina–Greensboro added, "As secretary of the society, I've been involved in arranging these meetings since 1992 and have seen many of the trials and tribulations of the behind-the-scenes preparations. [Measured Progress] clearly set a standard for attention to detail. Working with everyone at Measured Progress was the most pleasure I've had putting on a conference."

Elke Oberg

At the Psychometric Society meeting banquet, Luz Bay, society treasurer and director of data analysis at Measured Progress, enjoys the sunset at Odiorne Point in Rye, NH, with society president Paul De Boeck, university professor from Belgium.

Paul De Boeck
K.U. Leuven, Belgium