scholarly journals Is Test Item Arrangement a Factor in the Academic Achievement of Undergraduate Pharmacy Students in Chemistry?

2021 ◽  
pp. 484-501
Author(s):  
Basil C. E. Oguguo ◽  
John J. Agah ◽  
Nwadiuto N. Ukeoma ◽  
Ijeoma Hope N. Nwoji ◽  
Priscilla O. Dave-Ugwu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Test Item ◽  
Item Difficulty ◽  
Undergraduate Curriculum ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Multiple Choice Tests ◽  
Test Items ◽  
Item Order ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Age Range

Aims: To determine the effect of test item arrangements in ascending, descending and no consistent order of difficulty in multiple choice tests on undergraduate pharmacy students’ academic achievement in a chemistry course. The present study served as an attempt to relate the effect of test item arrangement on undergraduate pharmacy students’ academic achievement in a chemistry course in Nigerian Universities. Study Design: Quasi-experimental research design of pre-test posttest non-equivalent group design was adopted in carrying out this research. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in ten Nigerian Universities between August, 2020 to April, 2021. Methodology: We sampled 200 participants (111 male, 89 females; age range 16 – 27 years) undergraduate pharmacy students drawn from ten (10) Universities in Nigeria. Twenty undergraduate pharmacy students offering Basic Principle of Chemistry (Chem. 101) were randomly selected from each of the selected universities for the study. Results: The mean scores when test items were arranged in ascending, descending, and no consistent orders of item difficulty were 44.38, 37.85 and 40.13 respectively. Their differential mean scores were 6.53, 2.28 and 4.26 in the same order. This implies that pharmacy students obtained higher scores when test items were arranged in ascending order of difficulty, followed by no consistent order and least in descending order of difficulty. The findings further revealed no significant arrangement by gender interaction effect on undergraduate pharmacy students` performance in the three tests. Conclusion: This study will help pharmacy lecturers in determining the most appropriate test item order which will help the students obtain high scores in any pharmaceutical test. The researchers conducted a quasi-experimental study on the topic as part of their undergraduate curriculum to examine the best test item format that will enhance pharmacy students' academic achievement in a chemistry course.

Further Evidence Favoring Three-Option Items in Multiple-Choice Tests

1998 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana R. Delgado ◽  
Gerardo Prieto
Keyword(s):  
Test Item ◽  
Multiple Choice ◽  
Achievement Test ◽  
Optimal Number ◽  
Choice Test ◽  
Multiple Choice Test ◽  
Multiple Choice Tests ◽  
Test Items ◽  
Choice Tests ◽  
Item Writing

This study examined the validity of an item-writing rule concerning the optimal number of options in the design of multiple-choice test items. Although measurement textbooks typically recommend the use of four or five options - and most ability and achievement tests still follow this rule - theoretical papers as well as empirical research over a period of more than half a century reveal that three options may be more suitable for most ability and achievement test items. Previous results show that three-option items, compared with their four-option versions, tend to be slightly easier (i. e., with higher traditional difficulty indexes) without showing any decrease in discrimination. In this study, two versions (with four and three options) of 90 items comprising three computerized examinations were applied in successive years, showing the expected trend. In addition, there were no systematic changes in reliability for the tests, which adds to the evidence favoring the use of the three-option test item.

scholarly journals Assessing Differential Item Functioning (DIF) For Pearson Test of English (PTE) A study of Test Takers with Different Fields of Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamed Ghaemi
Keyword(s):  
Differential Item Functioning ◽  
Item Difficulty ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Test Items ◽  
Fields Of Study ◽  
Item Functioning ◽  
Pearson Test ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Better Than

Abstract Differential Item Functioning (DIF), which is a statistical feature of an item and provides a sign of unpredicted performance of items on a test, occurs once dissimilar groups of test takers with the same level of ability show different performance on a single test. The aim of this paper was to examine DIF on the Pearson Test of English (PTE) test items. To that end, 250 intermediate EFL learners with the age range of 26 - 36 in two different fields of study (125, Engineering, and 125 Sciences) were randomly chosen for the analysis. The Item Response Theory (IRT) Likelihood Ratio (LR) approach was utilized to find items showing DIF. The scored items of 250 PTE test takers were analyzed using the IRT three-parameter model utilizing item difficulty (b parameter), item discrimination (a parameter), and pseudo-guessing (c parameter). The results of the independent samples t-test for comparison of means in two groups depicted that Science participants performed better than the Engineering ones particularly in Speaking & Writing and Reading sections. It is evident that the PTE test was statistically easier for the Science students at 0.05 level. Linguistic analyses of Differential Item Functioning items also confirmed the findings of the quantitative part, indicating a far better performance on the part of Science students.

The association between physical fitness and mathematics scores in elementary schools in Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 70-77
Author(s):  
Dinar Dinangsit ◽  
Tatang Muhtar ◽  
Yogi Akin
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Current Approach ◽  
Physical Fitness Test ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Mathematics Scores ◽  
Test Items ◽  
And Mathematics

A continual pressure within the educational system in Indonesia to focus on high levels of academic achievement is a major barrier to implementing an effective physical education curriculum in Indonesia. The conflict between the implementation of a movement based approach (MBA) and a sport based approach (SBA) presents another continuing problem. The current approach leads more to an orientation towards the acquisition of sport skills rather than the attainment of objectives of cognitive development. This study is aimed to reveal the association between the physical fitness and academic achievement of children in Sumedang, West Java. Four physical fitness test items and a specially constructed mathematics test were administered to 265 children from grades four and five. The ability of performance on the physical fitness tests to predict performance in mathematics was calculated by linear multipleregression analysis. The findings revealed that there was a significant association, although low, between the physical fitness components and mathematics achievement. Sit ups and squat jumps showed low partial correlations and the relationships for push ups and the 400 metre run were negative Limitations in the ability of the children to perform the tests were suggested as an explanation for the mixed results. It was argued that this weakness served to emphasise the importance of giving greater priority to physical education and the quality of its teaching within the school curriculum.

Inter-rater Reliability of Preceptors on Clinical Pharmacy Competency Evaluation

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dixon Thomas ◽  
Sherief Khalifa ◽  
Jayadevan Sreedharan ◽  
Rucha Bond
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Clinical Pharmacy ◽  
Clinical Competence ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Rater Reliability ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Competency Evaluation

Background:: Clinical competence of pharmacy students is better evaluated at their practice sites. compared to the classroom. A clinical pharmacy competency evaluation rubric like that of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)is an effective assessment tool for clinical skills and can be used to show item reliability. The preceptors should be trained on how to use the rubrics as many inherent factors could influence inter-rater reliability. Objective:: To evaluate inter-rater reliability among preceptors on evaluating clinical competence of pharmacy students, before and after a group discussion intervention. Methods:: In this quasi experimental study in a United Arab Emirates teaching hospital, Seven clinical pharmacy preceptors rated clinical pharmacy competencies of ten recent PharmD graduates referring to their portfolios and preceptorship. Clinical pharmacy competencies were adopted from ACCP and mildly modified to be relevant for the local settings. Results:: Inter-rater reliability (Cronbach's Alpha) among preceptors was reasonable being practitioners at a single site for 2-4 years. At domain level, inter-rater reliability ranged from 0.79 - 0.93 before intervention and 0.94 - 0.99 after intervention. No inter-rater reliability was observed in relation to certain competency elements ranging from 0.31 – 0.61 before intervention, but improved to 0.79 – 0.97 after intervention. Intra-class correlation coefficient improved among all individual preceptors being reliable with each other after group discussion though some had no reliability with each other before group discussion. Conclusion:: Group discussion among preceptors at the training site was found to be effective in improving inter-rater reliability on all elements of the clinical pharmacy competency evaluation. Removing a preceptor from analysis did not affect inter-rater reliability after group discussion.

A Test Sheet Optimization Approach to Supporting Web-based Learning Diagnosis Using Group Testing Methods

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Chu-Fu Wang ◽  
Chih-Lung Lin ◽  
Gwo-Jen Hwang ◽  
Sheng-Pin Kung ◽  
Shin-Feng Chen
Keyword(s):  
Test Item ◽  
Group Testing ◽  
Diagnostic System ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Optimization Approach ◽  
Exposure Rate ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Item Exposure ◽  
Test Items ◽  
Doubling Method

Assessment can help teachers to examine the effectiveness of teaching and to diagnose the unfamiliar basic concepts (or attributes) of students within the testing scope. A web-based adaptive testing and diagnostic system can achieve the above objective efficiently and correctly. From a diagnostic point of view, the major concerns are to diagnose whether or not an examinee has learned each basic concept well in the testing scope, while also limiting the number of test items used (the testing length) to as few as possible, which will be directly related to the patience of the examinee. In this paper, we consider a test item selecting optimization diagnostic problem to reveal the mastery profile of an examinee (that is, to diagnose each basic concept's learning status (well learned/unfamiliar) in the testing scope) with a short testing length and a limited test item exposure rate. This paper uses the techniques of Group Testing theory for the design of our test item selecting algorithm. Two test item selecting strategies, the bisecting method and the doubling method, are proposed. The effectiveness of the proposed methods was evaluated by experimental simulations. The results show that both of the proposed algorithms use fewer test items and a limited test item exposure rate compared to the conventional methods.

The Influence of Visual Impairment on Physical Fitness Test Performance

1986 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 729-731
Author(s):  
Francis X. Short ◽  
Joseph P. Winnick
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Physical Fitness Test ◽  
Fitness Test ◽  
Test Items ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Partially Sighted

The Project UNIQUE Physical Fitness Test was administered to 686 normally sighted and 484 visually impaired subjects in the 10-17 age range. Significant differences favoring the normally sighted were found for each of the six test items. The severity of the visual impairment was a significant factor on the two running items. Partially sighted subjects made better scores than legally blind subjects on the 50-yard dash and long-distance run. No significant differences between partially sighted and blind subjects were found for the non-running items in the test battery (skinfolds, grip strength, sit-ups and sit and reach). Findings suggested that, depending upon the purpose of the assessment, physical fitness test scores of the visually impaired generally should be compared to specially designed norms and that, on the running items, separate norms should be utilized for the blind and partially sighted.

Performance on Achievement Tests as a Function of the Order of Item Difficulty

1980 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-96 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Item Difficulty ◽  
Achievement Tests ◽  
Item Order

After examining this study, you may decide never again to be concerned about item order in your examinations.

scholarly journals Mobile-Assisted Mind Mapping (MAMMAT) as a Tool to Support University Students’ Argumentative Writing

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (05) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Rafidah Abd Karim ◽  
Airil Haimi Mohd Adnan ◽  
Abdul Ghani Abu ◽  
Noorzaina Idris ◽  
Izwah Ismail
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Mapping Technique ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Argumentative Writing ◽  
Mind Mapping ◽  
Test Items ◽  
Quasi Experimental

<p class="0abstract">This study examined the use of a mobile-based technological tool known as Mobile-assisted Mind Mapping Technique (MAMMAT) to support ESL university students’ argumentative writing skills performance. The participants of this study were 45 ESL university students from two lecture groups at a public university campus in Peninsular Malaysia. The study employed a quasi-experimental research design. The experimental group was taught utilizing the MAMMAT whilst the control group was taught utilizing the conventional method. The pre-test and post-test scores were analysed through analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) results showed that there were statistically significant differences between the groups when test items were measured. As a conclusion, the MAMMAT has supported ESL university students’ argumentative writing skills performance. The study implicates that the use of MAMMAT can support students’ argumentative writing in ESL classroom.</p>

scholarly journals Impact of Gender on Adjustment and Academic Achievement

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Zaki Akhtar ◽  
Mahfooz Alam
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Home Health ◽  
T Test ◽  
Adjustment Process ◽  
Academic Excellence ◽  
School Students ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Academic Achievements ◽  
Age Range

In this era of globalization and demonetization, people of India have become aware of academic excellence and over all development of the students. Education psychologists have brought such issues in the limelight and provided valuable findings contributing to well being of the students. The present paper is an attempt to find out and compare certain areas of adjustment and academic achievement of school students. The sample consisted of 90 students with the age range from 14 to 17 years. Bell Adjustment Inventory developed and standardized by Mohsin and Shamshad (1968) was used to find out adjustment level of students. “t” test was used to analyze the data. Average marks of last three years annual results were considered as academic achievements. The findings showed that boys and girls students differed significantly in overall adjustment process. Although, there were no significant differences among the different level of adjustments i.e. home, health, social and emotional. The results further revealed that high achievement and low achievement students differed significantly in overall adjustment and high academic achievement groups are more adjusted as compare to low academic achievement groups.

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