Chapter 4

Question 1

a score on an ability test is presumed to reflect not only the test taker’s true score but also the error

Answer 1

classical test theory

Question 2

X represents

Answer 2

observed score

Question 3

T represents

Answer 3

true score or true variance

Question 4

E represents

Answer 4

error or error variance

Question 5

statistic for describing test variability

Answer 5

Variance

Question 6

The distribution of random errors is bell-shaped

Answer 6

Basic Sampling Theory

Question 7

The center of the distribution is the ____ score

Answer 7

true

Question 8

the dispersion around the center are the ____

Answer 8

errors

Question 9

the overall consistency of a specific measure

Answer 9

Reliability

Question 10

caused by fluctuations in variables other than the one being measured ; noise

Answer 10

Random error

Question 11

variables typically proportionate to the one being measured

Answer 11

systematic error

Question 12

sources of measurement error

Answer 12

1. time sampling
2. content sampling
3. inter-item consistency
4. observer differences

Question 13

variability inherent in a test score as a function of the fact that they are obtained at one point in time rather than another ; tests are given at different points in time may produce different scores, even if given the same test takers

Answer 13

Time sampling

Question 14

errors that result from selecting test items that inadequately cover the content are that the test is supposed to evaluate

Answer 14

item/content sampling

Question 15

content sampling pertains to faulty test constructions

Answer 15

item/content sampling

Question 16

intercorrelations between items in a test

Answer 16

inter-item correlation

Question 17

different judges observing the same event may record different numbers

Answer 17

observer differences

Question 18

types of reliability estimates

Answer 18

1. test-retest
2. alternate forms or parallel forms
3. split-half
4. internal consistency
5. internal-scorer

Question 19

correlates pairs of scores from same people who administered the same test at two different times

Answer 19

test-retest reliability

Question 20

index of the extent to which scores are likely to fluctuate as a result of time sampling error

Answer 20

test-retest reliability

Question 21

longer interval = ____

Answer 21

lower correlation

Question 22

shorter interval = ____

Answer 22

higher correlation

Question 23

ideal interval between tests is ___ weeks

Answer 23

2-4

Question 24

pearson = ____

Answer 24

interval and ratio

Question 25

spearman = ___

Answer 25

ordinal

Question 26

occurs when the first testing session affects the second session

Answer 26

carryover effect

Question 27

when a test takers scores better because they have sharpened their abilities with the passing of time

Answer 27

practice effects

Question 28

to obtain the estimates, two administrations with the same group are required; the equivalent form is administered either immediately or fairly soon, after administration, correlation coefficient is obtained between the results of two forms

Answer 28

Alternate forms/ parallel reliability

Question 29

two scores are obtained for each person by dividing the test into equivalent halves

Answer 29

split-half reliability

Question 30

spearman-brown formula

Answer 30

rfull = 2(rhalf) / 1 + rhalf

Question 31

estimates the internal consistency reliability from two halves of a test ; can also be used to determine the reliability of one test once it is shortened or lengthened

Answer 31

spearman - brown formula

Question 32

the degree of correlation among all the items on a scale

Answer 32

internal consistency

Question 33

used for tests with dichotomous items with varying difficulty

Answer 33

KR-20

Question 34

used for tests with dichotomous items with some difficulty or average 50% difficulty

Answer 34

KR-21

Question 35

used for non-dichotomous items

Answer 35

Cronbach’s Coefficient Alpha

Question 36

degree of agreement or consistency between two or more raters

Answer 36

inter-rater reliability

Question 37

measure of agreement between raters who each rate objects using nominal scales

Answer 37

kappa statistics

Question 38

an index on the amount of inconsistency or expected error in an individual’s score

Answer 38

SEM (Standard Error of Measurement)

Question 39

the higher the reliability, the ____ the SEM

Answer 39

lower

Question 40

when SEM is _____, it means that there is less accuracy with which an attribute is measured

Answer 40

higher

Question 41

SEM establishes a ____

Answer 41

confidence interval

Question 42

a range or band of test scores that is likely to contain the true score

Answer 42

confidence interval