Obvious items were good predictors of all criteria; neutral items overlapped considerably with obvious items; and subtle items generally did not contribute uniquely to the prediction of any of the concurrent measures of depression. (Author)

A sampling methodology is proposed for determining lengths of tests designed to assess the comprehension of written discourse. It is based on Bormuth's transformational analysis, within a domain-referenced framework. Guidelines are provided for computing sample size and selecting sentences to which the transformational rules can be applied.…

A follow-up technique is needed to identify items contributing to items-by-groups interaction when using an ANOVA procedure to examine a test for biased items. The method described includes distribution theory for assessing level of significance and is sensitive to items at all difficulty levels. (Author/GSK)

The facility index of a test item is the percentage of testees choosing the correct response. A common curriculum model presents process and content as two dimensions of the difficulty of an educational task. Wheeler suggested a third dimension: precision. This three-dimensional model is applied to chemistry education. (BW)

Methodological issues are illuminated by reference to analyses of environment data. Analyses include clustering techniques applied at the item level instead of the conventional scale level. Clusters derived using different units of analysis (namely, between and pooled within) are compared and contrasted. (RL)

A theory and a procedure are presented for estimating a domain parameter and item parameters for test items in a homogeneous domain, such that the combined domain and item parameters account for observed proportions right for each item in a test. (CTM)

Some background information is given about the GRE. A detailed account of its construction, its recent history, and some of the thinking that has gone into it is related. (MP)

Outlines a method for constructing minimum competency tests that are legitimate, answerable, and useful. At the heart of such tests is an item bank that is open to all to view. (Author/IRT)

Logical estimates of item difficulty made by judges were compared to empirical estimates derived from a test administration. Results indicated substantial correspondence between logical and empirical estimates, and substantial variation among judges. Further, the more elaborate the system used by judges to make estimates, the more accurate the…

Item level differences between a type of constructed response item (figural response) and comparable multiple choice items in the domain of architecture were studied. Data from 120 architects and architecture students show that item level differences in difficulty correspond to differences in cognitive processing requirements and that relations…

Four issues associated with calculator-available assessments are discussed: (1) benefits and problems of calculator use; (2) components of various types of calculator-available assessments; (3) construction of calculator-available assessments; and (4) the need for additional examination of items included on calculator-available assessments. (SLD)

One-parameter (1PPC) and two-parameter partial credit (2PPC) models were compared using real and simulated data with constructed response items present. Results suggest that the more flexible three-parameter logistic-2PPC model combination produces better model fit than the combination of the one-parameter logistic and the 1PPC models. (SLD)

In a theory/lecture course with limited use of case method, it is possible to get students to choose case study questions on examinations if topics are interesting, attention directing, and well understood. Case study test questions give students opportunities for critical analysis and self-expression. (SK)

Examined the analysis and interpretation of wording effects associated with positively and negatively worded survey items using data from a national sample of secondary school students (National Education Longitudinal Study 1988-1994). Results for 14,374 students support the interpretation of wording effects in terms of personality traits with…

Used empirical data from a certification test to study methods from statistical process control that have been proposed to classify an item score pattern as fitting or misfitting the underlying item response theory model in computerized adaptive testing. Results for 1,392 examinees show that different types of misfit can be distinguished. (SLD)