Development of an online psychometric test of spatial ability

This thesis reports on the development of an online psychometric test of spatial ability for designers that measures choice accuracy and reaction times. The research identified five spatial skills that collectively contribute to a construct called spatial ability. The test consists of 20 test items divided equally into five subtests where each measures a separate spatial skill. The five spatial skills were appropriately named and descriptions of each are provided in the final chapter. Evidence from nine sequential studies based on detailed statistical investigation including item analysis and exploratory factor analysis was used to establish the test. The important psychometric properties of reliability, validity, correlation and effect sizes were constantly assessed throughout the studies, and both parametric and nonparametric procedures were used where appropriate. Participants who took part in the studies were mostly students undertaking courses at university level and were recruited from both design and nondesign disciplines.