Showing 1 - 2 of 2 Research Library Publications

Application of Sampling Variance of Item Response Theory Parameter Estimates in Detecting Outliers in Common Item Equating

Posted: | Chunyan Liu, Daniel Jurich

Applied Psychological Measurement: Volume 46, issue 6, page(s) 529-547

 

The current simulation study demonstrated that the sampling variance associated with the item response theory (IRT) item parameter estimates can help detect outliers in the common items under the 2-PL and 3-PL IRT models. The results showed the proposed sampling variance statistic (SV) outperformed the traditional displacement method with cutoff values of 0.3 and 0.5 along a variety of evaluation criteria.

Category:Assessment-Oriented Research, General Measurement

The Optimal Number of Options for Multiple-Choice Questions on High-Stakes Tests: Application of a Revised Index for Detecting Nonfunctional Distractors

Posted: | M.R. Raymond, C. Stevens, S.D. Bucak

Adv in Health Sci Educ 24, 141–150 (2019)

 

Research suggests that the three-option format is optimal for multiple choice questions (MCQs). This conclusion is supported by numerous studies showing that most distractors (i.e., incorrect answers) are selected by so few examinees that they are essentially nonfunctional. However, nearly all studies have defined a distractor as nonfunctional if it is selected by fewer than 5% of examinees.

Category:Assessment-Oriented Research, General Measurement