Although computer-based testing is becoming popular, many of these tests are limited to the use of selected-response item formats due to the difficulty in mechanically scoring constructed-response items. This limitation is unfortunate because many constructs, such as writing proficiency, can be measured more directly using items that require…

Describes a scheme for marking multiple-choice test items by computer. This program, which is currently being used in Queensland, Australia, facilitates scoring and the standardization of scores. It also enables rapid item analysis which can be used to improve the quality of objective items. (JR)

The outcomes of two scoring methods (one based on an error analysis and the second on a conventional method) on free-response tests, compared in terms of reliability and dimensionality, indicates the conventional method is inferior in both aspects. (Author/PN)

A study was conducted to determine the difficulties students have in correctly completing computer-scored answer sheets. Results indicate that clerical errors on computer-scored sheets exist and may account for more of the errors on this type of test than has been thought. (MK)

The comparability of Angoff-based item ratings on a general education test battery made by judges from within-content and across-content domains was studied. Results with 26 college faculty judges indicate that, at least for some tests, item ratings might be essentially equivalent regardless of judge's content specialty. (SLD)

In inquiry environments, assessment is integral to the learning process. This means that students not only assess their own work, but they also help identify the criteria for assessment and design the tools for measuring the quality of the performance. One critical assessment tool, which is being used in countless classrooms, is the rubric.…

This discussion on assessment and evaluation in the online environment includes the use of different forms of rubrics. (Contains 5 tables and 2 figures.)

In this article, the author describes how she prepares her middle school students for their Regional Junior Scholastics and the lessons they have learned through the process. Just as coaches never let athletes prepare without a clear understanding of the rules, her students ground themselves in how different art competitions work. Preparation for…

This article introduces a multinomial error model, which models an examinee's test scores obtained over repeated measurements of an assessment that consists of polytomously scored items. A compound multinomial error model is also introduced for situations in which items are stratified according to content categories and/or prespecified numbers of…

The Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) assesses victimization and perpetration of unwanted sexual experiences (e.g., Koss, Gidycz, & Wisniewski, 1987). Revised versions of the SES that resulted from the work of the SES Collaboration are now available. This article reviews weaknesses of the SES that were identified, strengths that were preserved, and…

Background: The goal of this study was to assess the course of functional-somatic symptoms from late childhood to young adulthood and the associations of these symptoms with young adult psychopathology. Methods: Data were collected in a large community sample at three different points in time (1994, 1997, and 2001). Functional-somatic symptoms…

Discrete Choice Marketing (DCM), a research technique that has become more popular in recent marketing research, is described. DCM is a method that forces people to look at the combination of relevant variables within each choice domain and, with each option fully defined in terms of the values for those variables, make a choice of options. DCM…

The forms that comprise the Territorial Decentration Test are provided. These forms are: Directions Form (Verbal Territorial Identification--Subtest A; Verbal Territorial Relationship--Subtest B; Territorial Inclusion Using Written Symbols--Subtest C; and Territorial Inclusion Using Props--Subtest D); Response and Score Form…

The defining property of an admissible scoring system is that any individual perceives himself as maximizing his expected score by reporting his true subjective distribution. The use of admissible scoring systems as a measure of probabilistic forecasts is becoming increasingly well-known in those cases where the forecast is a discrete distribution…

The goal of the project described was to develop a "stand-alone" test scoring system based upon a micro-computer available to the hobbyist market. (Author)