Applied Measurement in the Oscar Buros Tradition: Current Implications

Applied Measurement in Education is a new journal sponsored by the Buros Institute of Mental Measurements. It seems appropriate in its first issue to consider the values and convictions of the founder of the institute, Oscar K. Buros, as they apply to some current developments in measurement. Some biographical data about Buros are first presented. Four principles that express his personal philosophy about applied measurement are stated and are then examined in relation to some contemporary measurement issues. These same ideas are also used to shed light on the likely reactions of Buros to the publication of Applied Measurement in Education. The Buros influence continues to encourage a healthy refocusing of our attention on the needs and interests of the test user and test taker, which is applied measurement at its best.