Assessment from the ground up: Developing and validating a usage-based diagnostic assessment procedure in a graduate EAP context

Abstract

Abstract: This ‘Research into EAP Practice’ article aims to describe a process of developing a locally-relevant EAP diagnostic writing assessment that serves the needs and fits the constraints of a specific EAP program at a large private US university. In line with practices and recommendations from language testing research, the article captures the local context and motivation for the present action research project, specifies a number of supporting points from other literature on the topic, details the piloting process, and describes the steps and statistical analyses undertaken to ensure maximal validity of the procedure in the context. The process captured in the article can be of use to other practitioners dealing with similar assessment goals or tasks.