Test Validity and Reliability Overview

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Questions and Answers

What does factor analysis primarily determine in test construction?

The number of students who will take the test

How to increase the test's difficulty level

If the test items load under the intended domains (correct)

The total number of questions to include in the test

Which statistical method did the math teacher use to assess the relationship between number sense and other mathematics domains?

Factor Analysis

Regression Analysis

ANOVA

Pearson r correlation (correct)

What evidence supports the divergent validity of the reading comprehension test?

Scores from both classes were correlated

The test was administered at different times

Both classes scored equally on the test

The class taught with a strategy had higher test scores (correct)

Which factor could most likely influence test reliability?

The time of day the test is administered Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does convergent validity demonstrate about the test developed by the math teacher?

It indicates that improvements in one area enhance performance in related areas Signup and view all the answers

What best describes test-retest reliability?

It requires administering the same test to the same group at different times. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a factor that could negatively impact test reliability?

Environmental distractions during the test. Signup and view all the answers

Parallel forms reliability involves which of the following?

Administering different versions of a test measuring the same construct. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is least likely to influence item consistency in a test?

The number of participants in the test. Signup and view all the answers

How does the number of items in a test affect its reliability?

More items can increase the likelihood of obtaining reliable scores. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of reliability assesses the consistency of responses across items that measure the same characteristic?

Internal consistency reliability. Signup and view all the answers

When test reliability is affected by individual differences among participants, which aspect has the most significant impact?

Participants' motivation and perseverance. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an external environment factor affecting reliability in testing?

Fluctuations in room temperature during the test. Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum time interval allowed between the first and second administration of tests for establishing test-retest reliability?

6 months Signup and view all the answers

Which statistic is used to measure the stability of test-retest reliability?

Pearson Product Moment Correlation Signup and view all the answers

How are the two forms in parallel forms reliability expected to perform?

Scores should be similar. Signup and view all the answers

What method is commonly used to split a test into halves for split-half reliability?

Even-odd technique Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions can negatively affect the reliability of a test?

Test-taker's mood swings Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of parallel forms reliability?

Consistency between different versions of a test Signup and view all the answers

For the split-half method, how many scores does each examinee receive?

Two scores from the same test Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes an item that is considered stable for these types of reliability tests?

Items assess consistent skills over time Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Establishing Test Validity and Reliability

Desired Learning Outcomes: Explain procedures and statistical analysis for establishing test validity and reliability; and decide if a test is valid or reliable.

Test Reliability

Definition: Reliability is the consistency of responses under three conditions: retesting the same person; retesting on the same measure; and similarity of responses across items measuring the same characteristic.
Conditions:
- Consistent response when the test is given to the same participants.
- Reliability is achieved if responses to the same or equivalent test (or another test measuring the same characteristic) are consistent when administered at different times
- Reliability exists when the person responds consistently across items measuring the same characteristic.
Factors Affecting Reliability:
- Number of items: More items generally lead to higher reliability due to a larger item pool.
- Individual differences: Characteristics like fatigue, concentration, innate ability, perseverance and motivation, which can change over time, impact consistency.
- External environment: Factors like room temperature, noise level, instruction quality, and exposure to materials can affect examinee responses.

Methods of Establishing Test Reliability

1. Test-Retest:
- Administer a test to a group once, then again to the same group later (with a 6-month maximum interval). Responses should be similar. Suitable for aptitude tests.
  - Time interval is 30 mins minimum.
- Suitable for stable variables such as aptitude and psychomotor measures (typing, physical education tasks).
- Use Pearson Product Moment Correlation (or Pearson r) for analysis; significant positive correlation indicates temporal stability.
2. Parallel Forms:
- Create two versions of the same test (called "forms") measuring the same skill.
- Administer one form to a group, then the other form to the same group at a later time. Responses on both forms should be similar.
- Applicable for repeatedly used tests (like entrance exams).
- Use Pearson r for analysis; significant positive correlation indicates consistency in the different forms.
3. Split-Half:
- Administer a test to a group. Divide the test into two halves (usually odd-numbered and even-numbered questions).
- Correlate the scores of the two halves.
- Applicable for tests with many items.
- Use Pearson r to correlate the halves; then Spearman-Brown Coefficient to determine internal consistency reliability. Scores from each set should be consistent.
4. Test of Internal Consistency:
- Determine if responses to each item are consistent.
- Administer the test, record scores for each item.
- Responses should be consistent amongst items; useful for assessments with many items and scales (e.g., Likert scales).
- Use Cronbach's alpha or Kuder-Richardson for analysis; value of 0.60 or above indicates internal consistency.
5. Inter-rater Reliability:
- Determine the consistency of multiple raters using rating scales or rubrics to judge performance.
- Multiple raters should produce similar/consistent ratings.
- Useful when assessments involve multiple raters.
- Use Kendall's tau coefficient for analysis; a significant value indicates agreement among raters.

Test Validity

Definition: A measure is valid if it measures what it's supposed to.
- A valid quarterly exam directly measures the curriculum's objectives.
- A personality scale with 5 factors should have highly related items.
- A valid entrance exam predicts first-semester grades.

Types of Validity

1. Content Validity:
- Items represent the entire domain being measured.
- Items are compared to objectives of the program; a reviewer checks alignment.
2. Face Validity:
- Test appears to measure what it's intended to.
- Items, instructions, grammar, and vocabulary must be understandable to the test takers.
- Small group of respondents are checked.
3. Predictive Validity:
- Measures ability to predict future performance.
- Example: Entrance exam predicting first-semester grades; correlation between test scores and later grades.
4. Construct Validity:
- Measures the underlying theoretical constructs it's designed to measure.
- Items are correlated with each factor (correlation is done for the factors of the test). - Example: factor analysis to determine how items load (belong) into specific constructs or domains or areas.
5. Concurrent Validity:
- Examines whether a new measure correlates with established measures of the same characteristic.
- Scores should be correlated to other measures of the same characteristic.
6. Convergent Validity:
- Measures whether multiple tests designed to measure similar constructs correlate highly.
- Correlation is conducted for the factors of the test
7. Divergent Validity:
- Establishes that a construct doesn't correlate with measures of unrelated constructs.
- Correlation is conducted for factors the test

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Description

This quiz focuses on the principles of test validity and reliability. You will explore statistical analysis methods and procedures to determine if a test meets the desired criteria for consistency and accuracy. By the end, you'll be equipped to evaluate the reliability of various assessments.