This volume, based on papers presented at a 1998 conference, collects thinking and research on item generation for test development. It includes materials on psychometric and cognitive theory, construct-oriented approaches to item generation, the item generation process, and some applications of item generative principles. (SLD)

Illustrates incremental item banking using health-related quality of life data collected from two samples of patients receiving cancer treatment (n=1,755 and n=1,544). Results support findings from previous studies that have equated separate instruments by co-calibrating their items. (SLD)

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using item banks while providing useful information to those who are considering implementing an item banking project in their school district. The primary advantage of item banking is in test development. Also describes start-up activities in implementing item banking. (SLD)

Proposes methods appropriate for solving multiple objective test assembly problems. Discusses the impact of the method on the optimality of the solution and gives an empirical example of a test assembly problem for a two-dimensional mathematics item pool. (SLD)

This article emphasizes that the Rasch model is not only very useful for psychological test calibration but is also necessary if the number of solved items is to be used as an examinee's score. Simplified proof that the Rasch model implies specific objective parameter comparisons is given. Consequently, a model check per se is possible. For data…

In this technical report, we describe the development of cognitive diagnostic test items that form the basis of the diagnostic system for Project DIVIDE (Dynamic Instruction Via Individually Designed Environments). The construct underlying the diagnostic test is division of fractions. We include a description of the process we used to identify the…

Since researchers acknowledged the several advantages of computerized adaptive testing (CAT) over traditional linear test administration, the issue of item exposure control has received increased attention. Due to CAT's underlying philosophy, particular items in the item pool may be presented too often and become overexposed, while other items are…

Background: In a recent study, we constructed an item pool that contains items on the quality of life (QOL) and related aspects of support of people with profound multiple disabilities (PMD). In the present study, a panel of experts assessed the content and the structure of this item pool in order to enhance its validity and usefulness. Method: A…

Six methods for assembling tests from a pool with an item-set structure are presented. All methods are computational and based on the technique of mixed integer programming. The methods are evaluated using such criteria as the feasibility of their linear programming problems and their expected solution times. The methods are illustrated for two…

A strict equivalence presupposed by Kaiser and Michael to derive the coefficient of "domain validity" is defensible only as a biased approximation. But then, it is far from clear what psychometric significance this coefficient has in the first place. (Author)

An a-stratified design (H. Chang and Z. Ying, 1997) is a new concept proposed to address the issues of item security and pool utilization in testing. It has been demonstrated to be effective in lowering the test overlap rate and improving the use of the entire pool when content constraints are not main concerns. However, it cannot really solve the…

Developed a method based on 0-1 linear programming to stratify an item pool optimally for use in alpha-stratified adaptive testing. Applied the method to a previous item pool from the computerized adaptive test of the Graduate Record Examinations. Results show the new method performs well in practical situations. (SLD)

Presents an integer programming approach to item bank design that can be used to calculate an optimal blueprint for an item bank in order to support an existing testing program. Demonstrates the approach empirically using an item bank designed for the Law School Admission Test. (SLD)