Multiple Choice Items EDUC 307

Multiple Choice Items  Definition: This format consists of a stem that poses a question or sets a problem and a set of two or more response choices for answering the question or solving the problem. Only one of the response choices is correct or the best answer.

Components of Multiple Choice Stem is the part of the item that:  Asks the question  Sets the task a student must perform  States the problem a student must perform Options- There are two types.  Essential option or keyed alternative– Correct answer  Distractors or foils- Incorrect responses

Options  Should be arranged in a meaningful way - logically - numerically - alphabetically Example: How many sides does a heptagon have? A Three B Five C Six D Seven

Distractors  Writing distractors is the most difficult, because they should be plausible otherwise they are easily eliminated by the students.

Distractors should:  Not require a large amount of reading  Be about the same length as the others  Avoid indefinite terms or state an absolute condition Ex. usually, generally, never, always  Avoid using “all of the above” and “none of the above”  Be varied

Strengths/Weaknesses of Multiple Choice Items Strengths  Can be written on different levels of the taxonomy  Can be used in assessing outcomes in almost all subject matter  Sample a large number of information that helps diagnose learning errors  Reduces guessing  Are easy to score Weaknesses  Difficult to write items at the higher order processes level  Distractors are not equally plausible  Reading demand of items is often high  Guessing does have some influence on scores

Varieties of Multiple Choice Items There are many varieties of multiple choice items, the two most commonly used are:  The correct-answer variety  The best answer variety Use the same variety consistently throughout one test, to avoid confusion.

Varieties of Multiple Choice Items  Example of Correct- answer variety: Who invented the sewing machine? A. Fulton B. Howe C. Singer D. White Use with Primary Grades  Example of Best-answer variety: What was the basic purpose of the Marshall Plan? A. Military defended western Europe B. Reestablish business and industry in western C. Settle United States’ differences with Russia D. Directly help the hungry and homeless in Europe Use with Middle school grades

Example of Multiple Choice Items  Poor Example Which of the following is a component of a multiple choice item? A.Stem B.Options C.Both A and B D.None of the above

Example of Multiple Choice Items Excellent Example Which of the following is an example of a compound word? A.behind B.doghouse C.remake D.unfold