Research and analysis

Inter-subject comparability: a review of the technical literature

A review by Ofqual of existing literature and research on inter-subject comparability.

• From: Ofqual
• Published: 18 December 2015

Applies to England and Northern Ireland

Documents

Inter-Subject Comparability: A Review of the Technical Literature: ISC Working Paper 2

Ref: Ofqual/15/5794

PDF, 361 KB, 49 pages

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Details

The public exams system in England has long been concerned with comparability between subjects. Published research on this issue dates back to at least 1928 (for example, Crofts and Caradog Jones), and has at times proved to be highly controversial (for example, Fitz-Gibbon and Vincent, 1994, vs. Goldstein and Cresswell, 1996).

Studies have often built on one another, and the debate has developed significantly over time. This paper puts this discussion into its historical context.

Published 18 December 2015