Integrative data analyses have recently been shown to be an effective tool for researchers interested in synthesizing datasets from multiple studies in order to draw statistical or substantive conclusions. The actual process of integrating the different datasets depends on the availability of some common measures or items reflecting the same…

Questioning plays a vital role in education, directing knowledge construction and assessing students' understanding. However, creating high-level questions requires significant creativity and effort. Automatic question generation is expected to facilitate the generation of not only fluent and relevant but also educationally valuable questions.…

Multiple-choice items are universally used in formal education. Since they should assess learning, not test-wiseness or guesswork, they must be constructed following the highest possible standards. Hundreds of item-writing guides have provided guidelines to help test developers adopt appropriate strategies to define the distribution and sequence…

Item parameter estimation using an item response theory (IRT) model with fixed ability estimates is useful in equating with small samples on anchor items. The current study explores the impact of three ability estimation methods (weighted likelihood estimation [WLE], maximum a posteriori [MAP], and posterior ability distribution estimation [PST])…

In "Test-Specific Thinking," the authors provide recommended practices, methods, and means for educators to implement structural schemas into teaching, helping students better prepare for tests and formulate stronger responses to certain question frames. Armed with a better understanding of how tests are designed, teachers will increase…

The purpose of this study is to introduce a functional approach for modeling unfolding response data. Functional data analysis (FDA) has been used for examining cumulative item response data, but a functional approach has not been systematically used with unfolding response processes. A brief overview of FDA is presented and illustrated within the…

Running Records are thought to be an excellent formative assessment tool because they generate results that educators can use to make their teaching more responsive. Despite the technical nature of scoring Running Records and the kinds of important decisions that are attached to their analysis, few studies have investigated assessor accuracy. We…

When designing or modifying a test, an important challenge is controlling its speededness. To achieve this, van der Linden (2011a, 2011b) proposed using a lognormal response time model, more specifically the two-parameter lognormal model, and automated test assembly (ATA) via mixed integer linear programming. However, this approach has a severe…

This paper introduces an application of cross-classified item response theory (IRT) modeling to an assessment utilizing the embedded standard setting (ESS) method (Lewis & Cook). The cross-classified IRT model is used to treat both item and person effects as random, where the item effects are regressed on the target performance levels (target…

Item position effect (IPE) refers to situations where an item performs differently when it is administered in different positions on a test. The majority of previous research studies have focused on investigating IPE under linear testing. There is a lack of IPE research under adaptive testing. In addition, the existence of IPE might violate Item…

We investigate the multilingual and multimodal performance of a large language model-based artificial intelligence (AI) system, GPT-4o, using a diverse set of physics concept inventories spanning multiple languages and subject categories. The inventories, sourced from the PhysPort website, cover classical physics topics such as mechanics,…

Vertical scales are intended to establish a common metric for scores on test forms targeting different levels of development in a specified domain. They are often constructed using common item, nonequivalent group designs that implicitly rely on the linking items being effectively free from differential item functioning (DIF) or the DIF being…

A recurring question regarding Likert items is whether the discrete steps that this response format allows represent constant increments along the underlying continuum. This question appears unsolvable because Likert responses carry no direct information to this effect. Yet, any item administered in Likert format can identically be administered…

Question generation (QG) task plays a crucial role in adaptive learning. While significant QG performance advancements are reported, the existing QG studies are still far from practical usage. One point that needs strengthening is to consider the generation of question group, which remains untouched. For forming a question group, intrafactors…

Multidimensional achievement tests are recently gaining more importance in educational and psychological measurements. For example, multidimensional diagnostic tests can help students to determine which particular domain of knowledge they need to improve for better performance. To estimate the characteristics of candidate items (calibration) for…