A comprehensive review is given of evidence, with a bearing on the recommendation to avoid use of complex multiple choice (CMC) items. Avoiding Type K items (four primary responses and five secondary choices) seems warranted, but evidence against CMC in general is less clear. (SLD)

Examines the effects of differential item functioning (DIF) between males and females on the June 1996 administration of the Alberta Education Social Studies 30 Diploma Examination. Reveals that the majority of the multiple-choice items did not display DIF when males and females were compared, and only one item was associated with bias. (CMK)

Business students (n=112) who took either an eight-week or 16-week class were compared on grade point average, completion of multiple-choice homework questions, and test scores. Students in the longer class performed better overall and on the test. Those who consistently completed homework performed better regardless of class length. (SK)

Argues for the usefulness of merging experimental and correlational approaches in the study of expository prose comprehension. Reviews studies in recent years. Shows that the correlational approach yields results similar to the experimental literature, and that the vast databanks associated with multiple-choice tests allow exploration of some of…

This study examined how well current software implementations of four polytomous item response theory models fit several multiple-choice tests. The main conclusion is that fitting polytomous item response models to multiple-choice item responses is more complex than fitting the three-parameter logistic model to dichotomously scored responses. (SLD)

Investigated the interpretation of the Chinese reflexive "ziji" by 57 English speakers and 24 Japanese speakers. Participants completed multiple-choice comprehension tests. Results indicated that first-language transfer occurred in second-language acquisition of the Chinese reflexive "ziji." (SM)

Investigates the differences of student performance between computerized and paper-and-pen multiple-choice tests and assesses the extent and effect of "computer anxiety." Uses the LXR.TEST 5.1 software for computerized tests and suggests that computer-based assessment could be used with confidence for the purposes of ranking students, but care…

Tested methods designed to extract information about examinees' partial knowledge when taking multiple-choice tests. Applied seven testing methods to multiple-choice tests and analyzed results according to six criteria. Results with 2,989 Israeli college applicants show a tendency on the part of examinees to take advantage of the special methods.…

We experimentally investigated the effect of required textbook study guides on undergraduates multiple-choice exam performance for introductory psychology. Students in 2 sections participated. Students required to complete the study guide performed significantly better than students in the control section. Students who reported completing 75% or…

Complete response vectors of all answer options in multiple-choice items can be used to estimate ability. The rising selection ratios criterion is necessary for scoring individuals because it implies that estimated ability always increases when the correct alternative is selected. This paper introduces the generalized DLT model, which assumes…

This study compares the parametric multiple-choice model and the nonparametric kernel smoothing approach to estimating option characteristic functions (OCCs) using an empirical criterion, the stability of curve estimates over occasions that represents random error. The potential utility of graphical OCCs in item analysis was illustrated with…

For (0, 1) scored multiple-choice tests, a formula giving test reliability as a function of the number of item options is derived, assuming the "knowledge or random guessing model," the parallelism of the new and old tests (apart from the guessing probability), and the assumptions of classical test theory. It is shown that the formula is a more…

In this research paper we discuss how some multiple-choice questions may be used to improve understanding, to develop and to assess modelling capabilities and as an aid to teaching.

In 2005, we were able to digitally record the so-called pharmacology songbook; a set of songs with lyrics devoted to pharmacological topics. A CD was prepared entitled The Beta-blocker Blues and its contents are now all freely available in mp3 format from our web page (Ewen MacDonald & friends, 2005). The web page also contains the lyrics and…

This paper reports a study in which Iranian EFL female students' think aloud protocols were analyzed to find out what knowledge sources informed them as they tried to make lexical inference when reading an English text. The study also intended to find out if students' level of their L2 proficiency would affect the pattern of their use of the…