Meta-Analysis of Empirical Studies on the Psychometric Properties of Standardized Examination Items in Science Subjects in Nigeria

Author

Adoga Ocheme Emmanuel, Agi Christiana Ikpoyi, Baba Otukpa Patrick, Abdulahi Abdulkarim


Abstract

 The study is on Meta-Analysis of Empirical Studies on the Psychometric Properties of Standardized Examination Items in Science Subjects in Nigeria. Three research questions were raised while Ex post Facto Survey research design was adopted for the study. The area of the study is Nigeria and the population is all empirical studies on the psychometric properties of standardized examination items in science subjects in Nigeria, which are numerically infinite. Sample of 70 primary studies that considered at least one of the moderator variables (Difficulty, Discrimination, Distracter indices) were purposively drawn from the population using the Cochran’s statistic for infinite or unknown population. The instrument used for data collection was a pro forma titled “coding sheet”, aimed at eliciting the required information for the study. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA), effect sizes, Z-transformations and descriptive summaries were used to answer research questions. The findings revealed that the effect sizes of the psychometric properties (Difficulty, Discrimination and Distracter indices) of standardized examination items in science subjects in Nigeria are significantly positive. Based on the obtained results, it was concluded that the psychometric properties of standardized examination items in science subjects in Nigeria are in conformity with the set standard. Therefore, the quality of psychometric properties of standardized examination items in science subjects in Nigeria should be sustained, concerted efforts should be made to improve upon the relatively good psychometric properties of standardized examination items in science subjects in Nigeria toward achieving excellence, and team work amongst educational stakeholders should be fostered and encouraged to avoid decline in quality. 



Keywords

Test, Difficulty, Discrimination, Distracter indices, Meta-Analysis



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References


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