Constructing Effective Multiple Choice Questions in Applied Linguistics

Multiple choice in applied linguistics is a popular method for assessing language proficiency. This assessment method involves presenting learners with a question or statement, followed by several answer choices, and asking them to select the best or correct answer. In applied linguistics, multiple choice questions (MCQs) are used for various purposes, including testing language knowledge, measuring comprehension, and evaluating language skills.

Constructing Effective Stems

The first step in creating effective multiple choice questions is to write a clear and concise stem, which is the main part of the question. The stem should provide enough information for the learner to understand the question and make an informed decision. It should also be free of ambiguity and irrelevant information.

Writing Good Alternatives

The alternatives, also known as answer choices, should be well-constructed and plausible. They should not be confusing or misleading, and they should not contain multiple distractors. A distractor is an alternative that is plausible but not correct. The alternatives should be presented in a logical order (e.g., alphabetical or numerical) to avoid a bias toward certain positions. The number of alternatives can vary among items as long as all alternatives are plausible.

Avoiding Complex Multiple Choice Items

It is important to avoid complex multiple choice items, in which some or all of the alternatives consist of different combinations of options. This can make the question too difficult to answer and may lead to guessing.

Keeping Content Independent

The specific content of multiple choice items should be independent of one another. This helps to prevent savvy test-takers from using information in one question to reduce the validity of the test.

Testing Higher-Order Thinking

When writing multiple choice items to test higher-order thinking, it is important to design questions that focus on higher levels of cognition as defined by Bloom's taxonomy. This includes applying course principles, analyzing problems, and evaluating alternatives. Designing alternatives that require a high level of discrimination can also contribute to multiple choice items that test higher order thinking.

Considerations for Writing Multiple Choice Items

When writing multiple choice items, there are several additional considerations to keep in mind. These include avoiding complex multiple choice items, keeping the specific content of items independent, and designing alternatives that require a high level of discrimination.

In summary, multiple choice in applied linguistics is a useful method for assessing language proficiency. By following best practices for constructing effective stems, writing good alternatives, avoiding complex multiple choice items, and considering factors that test higher-order thinking, linguists and educators can create accurate and reliable assessments that measure language skills and knowledge.