Deck 6: Methods of Measuring Behavior

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

Answer 1

D

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.

Answer 2

D

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?

Answer 3

C

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Question 13

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

A) duration
B) interval
C) frequency
D) continuous

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

Question 15

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

A) attracter
B) alternative
C) detractor
D) distracter

Question 16

Which assessment technique is used in field work?

A) Likert scaling
B) Thurstone scaling
C) observation
D) item analysis

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

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.

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

Question 20

All the behavior of a subject is recorded in _____________________.

A) duration recording
B) interval recording
C) frequency recording
D) continuous recording

Question 21

Which of the following is a reason you need to be cautious when observing behavior?

A) Your very presence may affect the behavior being observed.
B) The researcher records everything that happens.
C) Your questionnaire should not be too long and tedious.
D) You may confuse the difficulty index with the discrimination index.

Question 22

Which of the following is an example of poor characteristics of a questionnaire?

A) Questions are objective and forthright.
B) They are accompanied by a cover letter.
C) They begin with the more difficult, thought-provoking questions while the reader is still attentive.
D) There is a clear statement of transition when the topic of the questions changes.

Question 23

Why is it important to be unobtrusive when observing behavior?

Question 24

Describe the basic procedure involved in setting up to conduct an item analysis.

Question 25

What are the five basic assumptions when using a questionnaire?

Question 26

With no information, what is the chance that a person can guess correctly on a four-option multiple-choice question?

A) 100%
B) 75%
C) 50%
D) 25%

Question 27

What are some advantages and disadvantages to using multiple choice questions?

Question 28

Which one of the following is a disadvantage of multiple choice tests?

A) can be used to assess almost anyone
B) limits the kind of content assessed
C) are relatively easy to score
D) poor writers are not penalized

Question 29

Intelligence tests usually compare the performance of a child against other children of the same age. This type of test is called ________________________.

A) an achievement test
B) a standardized test
C) a norm-referenced test
D) a criterion-referenced test

Question 30

What makes a good questionnaire?

Question 31

What is the computed number for how well an item distinguishes between the "knowing" and the "unknowing"?

A) item analysis
B) discrimination index
C) difficulty index
D) attitude index

Question 32

Discuss the characteristics of a good cover letter and why it is helpful to have one.

Question 33

What are some reasons why we use tests?

Question 34

A good cover letter for a survey questionnaire has all but one of the following characteristics listed below. Which is NOT a characteristic of a good cover letter?

A) The initial questions are relatively simple, nonthreatening and easy-to-answer.
B) It is written on official letterhead
C) It promises confidentiality.
D) It clearly states the purpose of the questionnaire and the importance of the study.

Question 35

What is the computed number for the proportion of test takers who get an item correct?

A) item analysis
B) discrimination index
C) difficulty index
D) attitude index

Question 36

Which level of measurement is very similar to Thurstone-like scales?

A) ordinal
B) nominal
C) interval
D) ratio

Question 37

Tests such as the Denver Developmental Screening Test are used _____________________.

A) as dependent variables
B) for entrance to a program to identify strengths and weaknesses
C) to distinguish among people for selection purposes
D) to determine if program goals were met

Question 38

What type of test defines a specific level of performance or mastery) of some content domain?

A) standardized test
B) researcher-made test
C) norm-referenced test
D) criterion-referenced test

Question 39

The Graduate Record Examination and the Miller's Analogy Test are generally used for ______________.

A) placement
B) selection
C) evaluation of a program
D) diagnosis