This article presents a non-mathematical introduction to latent trait test models and some of their features. Latent trait models are compared to classical test models. Two promising applications of latent trait models and available computer programs are discussed. (Author/JKS)

This article explains the Rasch model for sample-free item analysis and test-free person measurement. It shows how to estimate model parameters from data and how to evaluate the statistical fit of these estimates to the data. Attention is paid to practical considerations. (Author/JKS)

ANALYSIS, a FORTRAN computer program developed as an aid to investigation of and instruction in the psychometric properties of test items, is described. The program utilizes both correlational and analysis of variance approaches to classical item analysis. (Author/JKS)

Measures of consistency and completeness of order relationships derived from test data such as Guttman scales are proposed. The measures are generalized to apply to incomplete data such as data from tailored testing. (Author/JKS)

A variety of practical applications of item characteristic curve test theory are discussed. Among these applications are tailored testing, two stage testing, determining whether two tests measure the same latent trait, and measuring item bias towards minority or other groups. (Author/JKS)

The absence of suitable external criteria is a recurrent problem for test, battery, and inventory developers in selecting items or tests for inclusion in final operational instruments. This report presents a computing algorithm developed for use when no adequate external selection criterion is available. The algorithm uses a multiple linear…

The Student Evaluation of Teacher II (SET II), the new instrument presented in this manual, is designed for use in securing student evaluations of teachers below the fourth grade or, with disadvantaged students, through the sixth grade. The manual describes the history, nature, and difficulties of the student evaluation of teachers movement and…

This paper provides users of teacher-made tests with a computer program designed to improve reporting of student performance on academic tasks. Test planning and construction and form and technique for reporting student performance are described. (CHK)

Tailored testing increases the efficiency of tests by individually selecting for each person a set of items from an item pool so that the difficulty of the items selected will be such as to maximize the information provided by the score. The tailored testing procedure designed by Cliff orders persons and items on a common ordinal scale and…

A new method was developed to assist in the selection of a test length by utilizing computer simulation procedures and item response theory. A demonstration of the method presents results which address the influences of item pool heterogeneity matched to the objectives of interest and the method of item selection. (Author/PN)

TESTER, a computer program which produces individualized objective tests from a pool of items, is described. Available in both PL/1 and FORTRAN, TESTER may be executed either interactively or in batch. (Author/JKS)

A method for developing statistically parallel tests based on the analysis of unique item variance was developed. A test population of 907 basic airmen trainees were required to estimate the angle at which an object in a photograph was viewed, selecting from eight possibilities. A FORTRAN program known as VARSEL was used to rank all the test items…

Two methods of item selection were used to select sets of 40 items from a 50-item verbal analogies test, and the resulting item sets were compared for relative efficiency. The BICAL program was used to select the 40 items having the best mean square fit to the one parameter logistic (Rasch) model. The LOGIST program was used to select the 40 items…

Computerized analysis of multiple choice test items is explained. Examples of item analysis applications in the introductory economics course are discussed with respect to three objectives: to evaluate learning; to improve test items; and to help improve classroom instruction. Problems, costs and benefits of the procedures are identified. (JMD)