Distractor Analysis: What Can We Learn From It?

• In Event: Poster Session 5
  In Poster Session: Division H Section 3: Assessment in the Schools Poster Session 1

Abstract

Assessing a complex construct such as reading comprehension is challenging because difficulty of an item or assessment involves multiple factors. Therefore, developing an assessment that can maximize information about examinees knowledge and skills is critical. This study applied distractor analysis, which has been traditionally used as a validity-check tool, to examine a role of distractors in test performance among different groups of readers by analyzing their distractor response patterns on multiple choice reading comprehension assessments. The results suggest that distractor analysis not only improve the overall quality of assessment, but also has a potential to enhance our understanding of examinees’ skills when distractors are carefully designed.

Authors

• Bitnara Jasmine Park, University of Oregon

• Leilani Saez, University of Oregon

• Julie Alonzo, University of Oregon

• Gerald A. Tindal, University of Oregon