In light of the renovated admissibility standards for scientific, technical and other specialized knowledge [expert testimony] established by Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals discussed by Feldbaum and McCroskey (1995), a review of the basic statistical and psychometric properties underlying applied research, assessment technology and earning capacity prediction is in order.

The field of Human Services has come a long way in the development of reliable and valid Educational, Vocational and Rehabilitation Economic tools and methodologies. In the forensic arena, expert testimony has been challenged under Daubert and must now have a reliable basis founded upon the scientific method. Research on the reliability and validity of our tools and methodologies is necessary to establish a reliable basis for testimony. In light of the Daubert decision, empirical research must be accelerated in the field of Human Services if we expect our experts to meet or exceed the challenges before us and the ones ahead.

If we are to be held accountable, not only by our peers, but also by the judicial process, we would elect a pro-active effort to underscore the basic statistical underpinnings of most testing and research in the field of Human Services. The following concepts are presented both to jog memories and as an on-going encouragement of our colleagues, who also press on toward the development of a statistically sound empirical substrate for our field.