Click here to make tpub.com your Home Page

Page Title: Multiple-Choice Test Item Writing Procedure cont'd
Back | Up | Next

Click here for thousands of PDF manuals

Google


Web
www.tpub.com

Home

   
Information Categories
.... Administration
Advancement
Aerographer
Automotive
Aviation
Construction
Diving
Draftsman
Engineering
Electronics
Food and Cooking
Logistics
Math
Medical
Music
Nuclear Fundamentals
Photography
Religion
   
   

 



DOE-HDBK-1204-97
Negative stems should be avoided because they are unnecessarily difficult to interpret.
Negatively stated stems can also lead to double negatives. It is more important to test what
something is than what it is not. If a negative stem is necessary, highlight the negative word
(e.g., not, never, least).
It is very tempting to write negatively stated test items, since they can be constructed by
picking three true statements out of the reference material and changing a fourth statement
to make it false. However, studies have shown that trainees do not do as well on negatively
stated test items, either because they overlook the negative word or because negatively
stated test items require trainees to pick an answer or characteristic that is not true, which
can be somewhat confusing. In addition, these test items tend to emphasize negative
learning. For example, consider the following stem of a multiple-choice test item:
Test item:
During 100% power operation, the feedwater dump valve opens inadvertently.
The condensate pumps will not do which of the following?
This stem can be made to read positively as follows:
Test item:
During 100% power operation, the feedwater dump valve opens inadvertently.
The condensate pumps will:
(a)
Increase flow to maintain feedwater flow rate.
(b)
Trip due to a runout condition.
(c)
Have no response.
(d)
Trip due to low suction pressure.
27


Privacy Statement - Press Release - Copyright Information. - Contact Us

Integrated Publishing, Inc. - A (SDVOSB) Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business