Open AccessFREE‐RESPONSE AND MULTIPLE‐CHOICE ITEMS: MEASURES OF THE SAME ABILITY?
Author(s) -
Bennett Randy Elliot,
Rock Donald A.,
Wang Minhwei
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
ets research report series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.235
H-Index - 5
ISSN - 2330-8516
DOI - 10.1002/j.2333-8504.1990.tb01349.x
Subject(s) - multiple choice , item response theory , test (biology) , factor (programming language) , psychology , confirmatory factor analysis , statistics , social psychology , econometrics , computer science , structural equation modeling , psychometrics , mathematics , developmental psychology , significant difference , paleontology , biology , programming language
This study examined the relationship of multiple‐choice and free‐response items contained on the College Board's Advanced Placement Computer Science (APCS) examination. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the fit of a two‐factor model where each item format marked its own factor. Results showed a single‐factor solution to fit the data best in each of two random‐half samples. This finding might be accounted for by several mechanisms, including overlap in the specific processes assessed by the multiple‐choice and free‐response items, and the limited opportunity for skill differentiation afforded by the year‐long APCS course.