Exploring the Influence of Item Characteristics in a Spatial Reasoning Task

• In Event: Cognition and Assessment

Abstract

Well-designed spatial reasoning assessments can incorporate multiple sources of complexity that reflect important aspects of spatial reasoning. This study investigates how nine item characteristics contribute to item difficulty in a particular spatial assessment format, the Object Assembly (OA). Data was collected from two focal samples including 73 high-ability students in grades 3 to 7 and 101 undergraduate students with 15 newly developed OA items. Results from the Linear Logistic Test Model (LLTM) indicate that eight of nine identified item characteristics significantly contributed to item difficulty. This suggests an LLTM approach is useful for informing item development for this category of cognitive ability assessment.

Authors

• Qingzhou Shi, University of Alabama
  Presenting Author

• Stefanie A. Wind, University of Alabama
  Non-Presenting Author

• Joni M. Lakin, University of Alabama
  Non-Presenting Author