Item Response Theory Validation of Social Studies Aptitude Test

Eric Oghounu, Patrick Osadebe

Abstract


This study assessed the psychometric properties of the Social Studies Aptitude Test (SSAT) using the 3-Parameter Item Response Theory Model. Four research questions guided the study. A 100-item multiple choice SSAT, developed by Jessa, et al. (2023) was used as an instrument for the study. The data were collated and analysed using chi-square goodness of fit and factor analysis. The findings revealed that all the 100 items measured a single construct; that most of the items (94 out of 100) were either satisfactory (need no revision), good or moderate (needs little or no revision); most of the items (89 out of 100) were either very easy or easy; and most of the items (73 out of 100) are not susceptible to guessing. The study recommended amongst others, that the developed SSAT should be used by Social Studies teachers for the assessment of secondary school students, especially during mock examinations.

Keywords


Item Response Theory; Social Studies Aptitude Test; 3-parameter; Validation; Psychometrics

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.11591/edulearn.v20i3.23410

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