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The Effects of Component Variables on Performance in Graph Comprehension Tests
Author(s) -
Attalim Yigal,
Goldschmidt Chanan
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of educational measurement
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.917
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1745-3984
pISSN - 0022-0655
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-3984.1996.tb00481.x
Subject(s) - comprehension , cognition , psychology , graph , cognitive psychology , natural language processing , computer science , theoretical computer science , neuroscience , programming language
Some cognitive characteristics of graph comprehension items were studied, and a model comprised of several variables was developed. 132 graph items of the Psychometric Entrance Test were included in the study. By analyzing the actual difficulty of the items, an evaluation of the impact of the cognitive variables on item difficulties could be made. Results indicate that successful prediction of item difficulty can be calculated on the basis of a wide range of item characteristics and task demands. This suggests that items can be screened for processing difficulty prior to being administered to examinees. However, the results also have implications for test validity in that the various processing variables identified involve distinct ability dimensions.