psy·cho·me·tri·cian \-mə-ˈtri-shən\ "I measure psychological constructs." Okay... "I measure things about people that are latent" [Insert hand motions]. Okay..."I work on standardized tests...in education." Describing what I do for a living to family and friends can be challenging. The blank stares and gentle nods sometimes reduces my spiel to, "I measure stuff." That really doesn't capture the importance of the work people like me engage in every day. So, give me a few minutes to explain. Let's start with an example that we all can wrap our heads around: a doctor's visit. When you pay a visit to your doctor's office, your vital signs are usually the first to be measured: weight, height, blood pressure, and temperature. Now, consider the instruments used to take your vitals - a scale for weight and a thermometer for temperature, for example. Each instrument had to be designed specifically for its corresponding vital sign. Ever tried weighing yourself with a blood pressure cuff? Probably not. Your body's response to these instruments gives the physician a picture of your general health. The exam isn't limited to what can be measured with a physical instrument, though. Your doctor may ask questions to explore factors that influence [...]