Journal Article

Controlling construct-irrelevant factors through computer-based testing: disengagement, anxiety, & cheating

Wise, Steven L.

2019

Overview

A decision of whether to move from paper-and-pencil to computer-based tests is based largely on a careful weighing of the potential benefits of a change against its costs, disadvantages, and challenges. This paper briefly discusses the trade-offs involved in making such a transition, and then focuses on a relatively unexplored benefit of computer-based tests - the control of construct-irrelevant factors that can threaten test score validity. Several unique advantages provided by computer-based tests are described, and how these advantages can be used to manage the effects of several common construct-irrelevant factors is discussed. Ultimately, the potential for expanded control may prove to be one of the most important benefits of computer-based tests.

• Publisher: Routledge,Taylor & Francis Ltd,Taylor & Francis Group
• Subject: Adaptive Testing / Animals / Anxiety / CAI / Cheating / Computer assisted instruction / Computer Assisted Testing / Computer-based testing / Computers / construct-irrelevant factors / Educational Assessment / Educational psychology / Educational tests & measurements / International Assessment / Job Analysis / Low Achievement / Measurement Techniques / Program Implementation / Scores / Scoring / Test Anxiety / Test Content / Test Format / Test Items / Test Validity / Test Wiseness / test-taking engagement / Testing Programs / Validity / Web Browsers