Online assessment: Desirable or dangerous?

Abstract

Internet-mediated psychological assessment procedures can play an important role in behavioral telehealth, but their use is not unproblematic. Possible uses of World Wide Web-based tests are discussed. Published empirical evaluations of Web-based personality tests indicate that they can be reliable and valid. However, evidence exists that Web-based versions of tests may not always measure the same constructs as their traditional antecedents: Equivalence cannot be assumed. Web-based clinical assessment seems viable, but there are potential difficulties with measurement of some constructs (particularly negative affect), as well as ethical considerations. While offering great potential, online tests of clinical constructs require stringent validation and cautious use.

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