The growing use of the Internet by professionals and laypeople alike, together with
rapidly improving technology, has resulted in dramatic growth of assessment Web
sites. Although these tests are being used for a number of purposes, their
employment for career-related assessment and decisions seems to be prevailing. This
development stems from the search for easy-to-obtain, free (or inexpensive) aids to
assist in decision making; a general awareness and acceptance of the Internet as a
legitimate informative; and professional and nonprofessional site owners'
exploitation of the provision of remote testing services. Although empirical
research generally supports the psychometric properties and utility of
Internet-based assessment, there are numerous ethical and professional issues
involved. A large listing of concerns is presented, followed by a recommendation to
take action in three concomitant directions: focused legislation (including
international conventions), Internet-specific training for professionals, and public
education aimed at increasing awareness and understanding.
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