Discriminating Power Kinds of Item Analysis
good data as information about students’ performance. Also, it can help make improvement for the next test.
Anthony J. Nitko explains several important uses of item analysis stated below:
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1. Determining whether an item functions as teacher intends
Teacher can know which items function properly by analyzing them through difficulty level and discriminating power activity. A good item
must be in moderate level and differentiate the upper group from the lower group well.
2. Feedback to students’ performance and as a basis for class discussion
In this issue, students’ errors can be corrected and they can know how their performance on each item is marked. Also, the items that are felt
difficult for most of them can be discussed in the class. 3.
Feedback to the teacher about pupil’s difficulties It means that item analysis may provide teacher with the points of
teaching that needs reinforcement and remediation. So, she can focus the instruction on both the group and the individual more efficiently.
4. Area for curriculum improvement
If the certain items which cover a particular point of material are difficult for students continuously or certain kinds of errors occur often, it
may not be test maker’s fault. A more extensive revision of curriculum may be needed.
5. Revising the items
Information abo ut students’ responses to item can be used to revise it.
The good items can be reused for future testing, the rests which are not good need revision.
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Anthony J. Nitko, Educational Test ..., p. 284-286.
6. Improving item writing skills
By analyzing the items continually and knowledge about the way students respond to them should increase the item-writing skills of test
maker or teacher.
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