A modification of the method of reciprocal averages for scaling multiple choice data is proposed. The proposed method handles the data in a piecewise fashion and allows for faster convergence to a solution. (Author/JKS)

Aims to help instructors make more valid test questions, particularly multiple-choice ones. Emphasis is placed on multiple-choice questions to show the wealth of opportunities they offer for testing because of their uses, objectivity, and ease of grading. Discusses test scheduling, construction, and evaluation and follow-up. (CT)

In scoring multiple-choice tests, a score of 1 is given to right answers, 0 to unanswered questions, and some negative score to wrong answers. This paper discusses the relation of this negative score to the assumption made about the partial knowledge with the subjects may have. (Author/GDC)

When correlations between actual university classroom cheating behavior (multiple-choice answer copying) and pretest estimates of success, confidence, and test importance were studied answer copying correlated positively with estimates of success. Confidence in these estimates of success also correlated positively with answer copying, while…

Divgi's contention that the Rasch model should not be applied to multiple-choice test items is refuted. As with any measurement model, the burden is on the model user to establish that assumptions have been met and that generalizations are warranted for any application, including applications involving multiple-choice tests. (TJH)

Describes a simple and novel method for identifying misconceptions. Utilizes the Certainty of Response Index (CRI) in conjunction with answers to multiple-choice questions. (Author/CCM)

Undergraduates (n=187) were given information booklets; experimentals took either a multiple-choice (n=64) or short-answer (n=64) test afterward. Both groups and 60 controls were tested 3 weeks later on new and previously tested information. Both multiple-choice and short-answer tests were better than no test in improving retention. Multiple…

Multiple-choice questions are the basis of a significant portion of assessment in introductory economics courses. However, these questions, as found in course assessments, test banks, and textbooks, often fail to evaluate students' abilities to use and apply economic analysis. The authors conclude that multiple-choice questions can be used to…

Content mastery and self-efficacy were measured at the beginning and at the end of two classes in Research Methods in Psychology. A multiple-choice test measured content mastery and a questionnaire measured self-efficacy. Self-efficacy reports improved significantly over the course of instruction, as did examination performance. The correlation…

The nonequivalent groups with anchor test (NEAT) design involves missing data that are missing by design. Three popular equating methods that can be used with a NEAT design are the poststratification equating method, the chain equipercentile equating method, and the item-response-theory observed-score-equating method. These three methods each…

The purpose of this study was to investigate possible factors that may affect academic achievement when instruction is delivered via podcast. Seventeen female Communication Sciences and Disorders students participated in this exploratory study conducted in the fall of 2006. Measurements of participants' individual differences on four variables…

A new computerised testing system was used at home to promote learning and also to save classroom instruction time. The testing system combined the features of short-answer and multiple-choice formats. The questions of the multiple-choice problems were presented without the options so that students had to generate answers for themselves; they…

Student evaluations of a large General Psychology course indicate that students enjoy the class a great deal, yet attendance is low. An experiment was conducted to evaluate a personal response system as a solution. Attendance rose by 30% as compared to extra credit as an inducement, but was equivalent to offering pop quizzes. Performance on test…

The authors explored the credibility of using informal reading inventories and writing samples for 138 students (K-4) to evaluate the effectiveness of a summer literacy program. Running Records (a measure of a child's reading level) and teacher experience during daily reading instruction were used to estimate the reliability of the more formal…

The effectiveness of two types of adjunct questions, standard embedded questions and "why" questions (elaborative interrogation), was investigated for readers differing in structure-building ability (Gernsbacher, 1990). Participants read a textbook chapter either with or without the adjunct questions. Learning was assessed with typical…