Latent trait test score theory is discussed primarily in terms of Birnbaum's three-parameter logistic model, and with some reference to the Rasch model. Equations and graphic illustrations are given for item characteristic curves and item information curves. An example is given for a hypothetical 20-item adaptive test, showing cumulative results…

The effect of stratified sampling of items on the estimation of test score distribution parameters by multiple matrix sampling was studied. Item difficulty and/or interitem correlations were the bases of stratification. Various item iniverses were created by computer simulation and sampled according to several plans. The results indicate that…

A general purpose computer program for the calculation of a matrix of tetrachoric correlations is described. This program was developed for use in adaptive (and other) testing research for examining the unidimensionality assumption in latent trait theory, in conjunction with available factor analysis programs. Several other potential applications,…

The study sought to define the Ethos of a classroom and its operating assumptions. The basic components of the Ethos variable are Authenticity (for individual students), Legitimacy (in terms of knowledge and societal disciplines), and Productivity (effectiveness of activities). This variable is referred to by its acronym, ALP. An international…

An important component of high quality data is the completeness of the gathered data. Complete response consists of 3 specific factors: (1) sample mortality (the loss of respondents from the initial sample); (2) item nonresponse; and (3) detail given to open-ended items. Responses to the personal interview among Mexican American migrants were…

To help teachers who must produce test items to measure instructional objectives, 54 teacher education candidates participated in an experiment where easily understood constraints on item production were manipulated. Four forms of a test item writing exercise sheet were randomly distributed, each asking for the production of eight sample test…

This device, a potential instrument for measurement of an important aspect of the worker--job relationship, was developed for use in guidance and counseling; personnel matters of business and industry; career, occupational, and vocational education; and in efforts to explore and validate the career ladders and lattices within occupational fields.…

Written by an ex-Latin teacher, short-cuts to analyzing test results for the non-mathematical teacher are provided. Discussions are given of item analysis (item analysis by a show of hands, standards for test items: success, standards for test items: discrimination, and the second stage of item analysis. The standard error is then presented (the…

Internal evidence of cultural bias, in terms of various types of item analysis, was sought in the Wonderlic Personnel Test results in large, representative samples of whites and Negroes totalling some 1,500 subjects. Essentially, the lack of any appreciable Race X Items interaction and the high interracial similarity in rank order of item…

Violations of four selected principles of writing multiple-choice items were introduced into an undergraduate religion course mid-term examination. Three of the flaws significantly increased test difficulty. KR-sub-20 values were lower for all of the tests containing the flawed items than for the "good" versions of the items but significantly so…

Four problems of data summary and analysis in the Concept Attainment Abilities Project are discussed. The problems are: (1) scoring and item analysis for items that exist in a completely crossed design; (2) determining the factorial structure of such item sets; (3) reducing the battery of 56 cognitive abilities tests administered in 1970 to…

This report is the sixth of a series of reports having to do with item studies of the Sequential Tests of Educational Progress (STEP) regularly administered to students in grades four, six, eight, ten, and twelve enrolled in the public school system in Hawaii. The item study summaries prepared for achievement tests administered at the various…

The final volume of The Study of Junior Colleges contains the measurements and instrumentation derived from the project for future evaluation surveys. Part One, Prediction of Student Outcomes: Multivariate Analysis of the Survey Data, provides: an introduction to the analyses; data reduction, factors, and scales; students' objectives and…

Although it has been claimed that the Rasch model leads to a higher degree of objectivity in measurement than has been previously possible, this model has had little impact on test development. Population-invariant item and ability calibrations along with the statistical equivalency of any two item subsets are supposedly possible if the item pool…

This study investigated the feasibility of concurrently and randomly sampling examinees and items in order to estimate group achievement. Seven 32-item tests reflecting a 640-item universe of simple open sentences were used such that item selection (random, systematic) and assignment (random, systematic) of items (four, eight, sixteen) to forms…