Das Asylverfahren verbessern – aber wie? Ein Vorschlag aus der Testforschung

Abstract

Could the asylum procedure be considered a test? This article argues that two concepts used for quality control in language testing may be helpful in determining and improving the effectiveness of the asylum procedure. Test validity requires scientific proof that an assessment leads to its intended consequences. Usability is concerned with the way a product or service has to be designed in an e!icient and error-free way to serve its purpose as well as possible. Both concepts provide analytical frameworks and methods which could be applied to the asylum procedure with little effort. With their focus on the process and its e!ectiveness in reaching specific goals, validity and usability would allow to maintain scientific objectivity in a very sensitive field of human interaction.