Question 1

Which type of test assumes that a person's responses reveal a (perhaps unconscious) world view which can be interpreted by an expert?
A) Likert scales
B) Thurstone scales
C) achievement tests
D) projective tests

Accepted Answer

Projective tests assume that a person's responses reveal an unconscious world view which can be interpreted by an expert. They typically involve presenting ambiguous stimuli (such as inkblots or pictures) and asking the test-taker to describe what they see, which is thought to reveal their inner thoughts and feelings. Likert and Thurstone scales are measures of attitudes or opinions and are based on self-report rather than interpretation by an expert. Achievement tests measure a person's knowledge or skill in a particular area.

Question 2

Which of the following describes the best multiple choice item?
A) The difficulty level is .90.
B) The distracters are implausible.
C) A large proportion of the low group answered the item correctly.
D) The discrimination level is .90.

Accepted Answer

The discrimination level is a measure of how well an item is able to distinguish between high and low performing students. An item with a discrimination level of .90 is considered very good, indicating that it is able to distinguish well between students with high and low levels of knowledge or ability. The other options do not provide information that is as useful in evaluating the quality of a multiple choice item.

Question 3

Which of the following would be considered a poor questionnaire question?
A) Do you ever cheat on exams?
B) Do you often feel anxious about taking a test?
C) Your boss says he will give you a raise, but you don't believe him, do you?
D) How often do you use cigarettes?

Accepted Answer

This question is irrelevant to the topic being studied and may lead to biased responses. It also includes a loaded statement that may influence the respondent's answer.

Answer: D
 This question is vague and does not provide specific options for the respondent to choose from. It also does not specify the time frame for the behavior being assessed.

Therefore, the best choice would be B.

Question 4

Which of the following difficulty levels indicates the item that was the most difficult?
A) 0.40
B) 0.30
C) 0.05
D) 0.50

Accepted Answer

In the context of difficulty levels, a lower number indicates a higher difficulty. Therefore, 0.05 is the lowest number listed, making it the most difficult item.

Question 5

In which of the following instances are tests used as dependent variables?
A) to assist in selection to a graduate program
B) to help in placing a child into an appropriate program based on reading level
C) to screen for a possible learning disability
D) to determine the effectiveness of a specific type of instruction

Accepted Answer

Tests are used as dependent variables when their results are being measured or evaluated in relation to a specific intervention or treatment, such as a particular type of instruction. In this case, the test results are dependent on the effectiveness of the instruction. In options A, B, and C, tests are being used as independent variables to inform decisions and identify factors such as potential candidates or reading level, rather than as a measuring tool.

Question 6

Recording the number of occurrences of a particular behavior is noted in which of the following?
A) duration
B) interval
C) frequency
D) continuous

Accepted Answer

The number of occurrences of a behavior is measured by frequency. Duration refers to how long a behavior occurs, interval refers to the time between observations, and continuous may refer to the ongoing nature of the behavior.

Question 7

In which type of recording is a subject observed for a particular amount of time?
A) duration
B) interval
C) frequency
D) continuous

Accepted Answer

Interval recording involves observing a subject for a specific amount of time and recording the presence or absence of a behavior within that time frame.

Question 8

A Likert scale is the most popular type of scale for which type of test?
A) projective
B) personality
C) achievement
D) attitude

Accepted Answer

A Likert scale is designed to measure attitudes, opinions, and perceptions of individuals. Therefore, it is commonly used for attitude tests.

Question 9

What is one disadvantage to using questionnaires?
A) They save time.
B) They are inexpensive.
C) The completion rate is low.
D) People may be more truthful.

Accepted Answer

The completion rate of questionnaires can be low, as some people may not want to take the time to fill them out or may not be interested in the topic being surveyed. This can lead to a biased sample and inaccurate results.

Question 10

What type of test is used to assess an individual's feelings about a particular topic?
A) aptitude test
B) preference test
C) selection test
D) attitude test

Accepted Answer

Attitude test is specifically designed to assess an individual's feelings, opinions, or beliefs towards a particular topic, person or situation. It is used to measure the attitudes, values or perceptions of a person, which cannot be easily measured through objective means.

Question 11

A discrimination index of +1.00 means that the item ____________________.
A) fails to discriminate
B) discriminates perfectly
C) is too easy
D) is too hard

Accepted Answer

A discrimination index of +1.00 means that the item discriminates perfectly, which indicates that it is a good item for measuring the construct of interest.

Question 12

A standardized test _________________________________________.
A) is usually commercially produced and requires a common set of administration and scoring procedures
B) compares an individual's test performance to the test performance of others
C) relies only on multiple choice questions
D) is designed and administered by a researcher for a specific research study

Accepted Answer

A standardized test is typically commercially produced with a common set of administration and scoring procedures to ensure consistency and fairness in administering and scoring the test. Standardized tests may include multiple choice questions, but they can also include other question types. The purpose of a standardized test is to compare an individual's performance to the test performance of others, which is facilitated by the use of standardized procedures. standardized tests are not designed and administered by a researcher for a specific research study.

Question 13

Which type of recording would measure the length of time a behavior occurs?
A) duration
B) interval
C) frequency
D) continuous

Accepted Answer

Duration recording measures the length of time a behavior occurs, typically by using a stopwatch or timer to track the beginning and end of the behavior. Interval recording divides the observation period into smaller time intervals and records whether the behavior occurs or not within each interval. Frequency recording counts the number of times a behavior occurs. Continuous recording involves observing and recording the behavior as it happens without any breaks or interruptions.

Question 14

What is NOT the purpose of a test?
A) assist in placement
B) help researchers determine the outcome of an experiment
C) assist in selection
D) collect detailed and unique information about each test taker

Accepted Answer

The purpose of a test is not to collect detailed and unique information about each test taker. Tests are designed to measure certain skills, knowledge, or abilities of a group of individuals and provide standardized scores that can be compared across individuals. While some tests may collect additional information about test takers, this is not the primary purpose of the test.

Question 15

Name a multiple choice item which provides a plausible but wrong answer.
A) attracter
B) alternative
C) detractor
D) distracter

Accepted Answer

The word "distractor" is a plausible but wrong answer that may trick test-takers who are unfamiliar with the term. While the other options (attracter, alternative, detractor) have clear and logical meanings, "distractor" seems to fit in with the pattern of similarly named options but is not the correct choice.

Question 16

Which assessment technique is used in field work?
A) Likert scaling
B) Thurstone scaling
C) observation
D) item analysis

Accepted Answer

Observation is the most commonly used assessment technique during field work as it involves directly observing and recording the behavior or events of interest in the natural setting. Likert scaling and Thurstone scaling are both used for self-report surveys and item analysis is used to evaluate individual test items.

Question 17

A test that measures knowledge of a specific topic is considered what type of test?
A) achievement test
B) attitude test
C) personality test
D) projective test

Accepted Answer

An achievement test measures knowledge or understanding of a specific topic or subject. Attitude tests measure an individual's opinions or beliefs about a topic, personality tests measure traits and characteristics, and projective tests assess subconscious thoughts and feelings.

Question 18

What is an advantage of using multiple choice questions?
A) There is no chance to practice writing.
B) It is difficult to fake a correct answer.
C) They limit the type of content that can be assessed.
D) Some people do not like them.

Accepted Answer

Multiple choice questions are advantageous as it is difficult to fake a correct answer. This means that they can provide a more accurate measure of knowledge or understanding compared to other types of questions where guessing and subjective grading can be a factor.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a component of a multiple choice question?
A) the stem
B) the root
C) distracters
D) alternatives

Accepted Answer

"Root" is not a component of a multiple choice question. The stem provides the question or incomplete statement, the alternatives or options provide the possible answers, and the distractors are the incorrect responses that are meant to confuse or mislead the test-taker.

Question 20

All the behavior of a subject is recorded in _____________________.
A) duration recording
B) interval recording
C) frequency recording
D) continuous recording

Accepted Answer

Continuous recording is the method of recording every instance of behavior that occurs during the observation period. This includes all behaviors regardless of their duration or frequency. Therefore, all the behaviors of the subject are recorded in continuous recording.

Quiz 6: Methods of Measuring Behavior

Which type of test assumes that a person's responses reveal a (perhaps unconscious) world view which can be interpreted by an expert?

Which of the following describes the best multiple choice item?

Which of the following would be considered a poor questionnaire question?

Which of the following difficulty levels indicates the item that was the most difficult?

In which of the following instances are tests used as dependent variables?

Recording the number of occurrences of a particular behavior is noted in which of the following?

In which type of recording is a subject observed for a particular amount of time?

A Likert scale is the most popular type of scale for which type of test?

What is one disadvantage to using questionnaires?

What type of test is used to assess an individual's feelings about a particular topic?

A discrimination index of +1.00 means that the item ____________________.

A standardized test _________________________________________.

Which type of recording would measure the length of time a behavior occurs?

What is NOT the purpose of a test?

Name a multiple choice item which provides a plausible but wrong answer.

Which assessment technique is used in field work?

A test that measures knowledge of a specific topic is considered what type of test?

What is an advantage of using multiple choice questions?

Which of the following is NOT a component of a multiple choice question?

All the behavior of a subject is recorded in _____________________.