Peer reviewed
Download full textERIC Number: EJ1062685
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2161-4210
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Detecting Items That Function Differently for Two- and Four-Year College Students
Thelk, Amy
Research & Practice in Assessment, v3 p23-27 Win 2008
Differential Item Functioning (DIF) occurs when there is a greater probability of solving an item based on group membership after controlling for ability. Following administration of a 50-item scientific and quantitative reasoning exam to 286 two-year and 1174 four-year students, items were evaluated for DIF. Two-year students performed better-than-expected on 13 items and worse than expected on 10 items. Reasons for DIF are explored, along with the importance of conducting this type of study
Descriptors: Test Bias, Probability, Test Items, Student Evaluation, Performance Based Assessment, Two Year College Students, College Students, Universities, Thinking Skills, Item Response Theory, Academic Ability, Cohort Analysis
Virginia Assessment Group. Tel: 504-314-2898; Fax: 504-247-1232; e-mail: editor@rpajournal.com; Web site: http://www.rpajournal.com/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Two Year Colleges; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
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