Date of Award
2006
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Status
Version of Record
Submission Date
October 2026
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]
Jordan, Robin G.
Abstract
We have developed a method of quantifying multiple-choice test items in an introductory physical science course in terms of the various tasks required to solve the problem. We assign a numerical level of difficulty to each task so that any question can be assigned a degree of difficulty, which is the sum of the individual levels of difficulty associated in each steps. Using the questions and results from the tests we have investigated the relationship between the degree of difficulty of each question and the corresponding discrimination index. Our results indicate that as the degree of difficulty increases so does the capability of the item to discriminate between students with different abilities. There is a maximum degree of difficulty beyond which the discrimination starts to decrease. At that point, test items become too difficult. Thus, it should be possible in future to design items that will provide optimum discrimination.
Extent
61 p.
Recommended Citation
Hotiu, Angelica, "The relationship between item difficulty and discrimination indices in multiple-choice tests in a physical science course" (2006). Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009. 1173.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general_5/1173
Identifier
FA00000766
Comments
Includes bibliography.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2006.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Charles E. Schmidt College of Science|Includes bibliography.