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Quality assurance of multiple-choice tests

Article Information:

Title:

Quality assurance of multiple-choice tests

Author(s):

Martin E. Bush

Journal:

Quality Assurance in Education

Year:

2006

Volume:

14

Issue:

4

Page:

398 - 404


ISSN:

0968-4883


DOI:

10.1108/09684880610703974

Publisher:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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Abstract:

Purpose – To provide educationalists with an understanding of the key quality issues relating to multiple-choice tests, and a set of guidelines for the quality assurance of such tests.

Design/methodology/approach – The discussion of quality issues is structured to reflect the order in which those issues naturally arise. It covers the design of individual multiple-choice questions, issues relating to the question bank as a whole, choice of test format, and what can be learned through post-test analysis. The paper offers practical advice, with an emphasis on maximising test reliability.

Findings – It is recognised that considerable expertise and effort is required to undertake a thorough post-test statistical analysis, but pre-test quality assurance is relatively straightforward, if labour-intensive. The question of which is best amongst the various alternative test formats is left open.

Originality/value – The general issue of quality assurance of multiple-choice tests is surely an important one, yet the author is not aware of any other publication that deals directly with this topic.

Keywords:

Assessment, Education, Quality assurance, Scoring procedures (tests)


Article Type:

General review


Article URL:

http://www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/09684880610703974

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