A Word Knowledge Item Pool for Adaptive Ability Measurement. Research Report No. 74-2.

Abstract : A series of four vocabulary norming tests was used to develop a large, homogeneous pool of vocabulary test items for use in computer-administered adaptive testing research. 575 unique vocabulary knowledge items were divided among the four norming tests, and administered to separate groups of college undergraduates. Norming tests were administered by computer or paper and pencil in fixed and random orders. Item difficulty and discrimination indices of both the classical test model and the normal ogive item model were derived on the norming data. On the basis of item analysis results, 369 items were selected as satisfactory for the adaptive testing item pool. An outline was developed for the design of future norming studies. (Modified author abstract)