A Call to Action: Open and Inclusive Assessment Measures in Developmental Psychology
Abstract
Cognitive and behavioural development research often relies on validated and standardised assessments, which can indicate whether performance falls within typical or atypical boundaries for a given chronological age. However, researchers planning large collaborative projects and/or collecting data from hard-to-reach populations may face problems when attempting to use some of the most widely adopted measures. We outline the major consequences of restricting access and preventing modifications of measures for research in the fields of developmental psychology and education. The problems are illustrated using a case example of a big team science project on intellectual disability. Finally, a plan for collective action to establish public domain assessment tools is presented with specific recommendations for research funders and researchers. In the interest of scientific progression and international collaboration, we conclude that there should be opportunities for free access to research measures and their unrestricted adaptation and modification.
Corresponding author Marta Topor: [email protected]
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BibTeX
@misc{topor2026call,
title = {{A Call to Action: Open and Inclusive Assessment Measures in Developmental Psychology}},
author = {Marta Topor and Lucija Batinovic and Emily K. Farran and Lucy A. Henry and Magnus Ivarsson and Jo Van Herwegen and David Messer and Karin Nilsson and Lisa Palmqvist and Caroline Richards},
howpublished = {PsyArXiv},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.31234/osf.io/bazys_v3},
url = {https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/bazys_v3/},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - A Call to Action: Open and Inclusive Assessment Measures in Developmental Psychology
AU - Marta Topor
AU - Lucija Batinovic
AU - Emily K. Farran
AU - Lucy A. Henry
AU - Magnus Ivarsson
AU - Jo Van Herwegen
AU - David Messer
AU - Karin Nilsson
AU - Lisa Palmqvist
AU - Caroline Richards
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/05
PB - PsyArXiv
DO - 10.31234/osf.io/bazys_v3
UR - https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/bazys_v3/
AB - Cognitive and behavioural development research often relies on validated and standardised assessments, which can indicate whether performance falls within typical or atypical boundaries for a given chronological age. However, researchers planning large collaborative projects and/or collecting data from hard-to-reach populations may face problems when attempting to use some of the most widely adopted measures. We outline the major consequences of restricting access and preventing modifications of measures for research in the fields of developmental psychology and education. The problems are illustrated using a case example of a big team science project on intellectual disability. Finally, a plan for collective action to establish public domain assessment tools is presented with specific recommendations for research funders and researchers. In the interest of scientific progression and international collaboration, we conclude that there should be opportunities for free access to research measures and their unrestricted adaptation and modification. Corresponding author Marta Topor: [email protected]
ER -