Introduction
When constructing a test, it is important to identify appropriate measures to be used. There are many possible measures, but only one or two measures are accurate. When writing an item, one must be concerned about its quality. The writer must consider factors that affect the item’s quality such as relevance, format of the item and credibility or practicality of the item when tested.
When choosing measurement for a construct in psychology, one has to assess the construct carefully. There may be several possible measurements to use. The practitioner must select a measurement method that gives accurate results when used.
Format of item
When writing an item, the format of the item must present a clear outline on how the item is used. A good format includes chronologically arranged components and clear illustration of subsections of the item. A correct format of the item gives it credibility because it uses the universally accepted item structure.
Relevance
Relevance is the correlation between the content of an item and what the author wants to influence. The relevance of an item improves its outcome’s quality because it will have addressed its main objectives.
Credibility
Item credibility is important because it proves that the item is relevant. It also shows that the measurements correct and can be tested practically. The credibility of an item determines the quality of results obtained from using it.
Conclusion
Therefore, when constructing an item, it is good to identify measures that would help produce accurate results. Furthermore, one must consider issues such as relevance, credibility and format of an item before writing. These issues affect the quality of results of the item.
References
Kurpius, R., & Stanford, M. E. (2006). Testing and measurement: A user-friendly guide. New york: Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Schultz, K. S., & Whitney, D. J. (2005). Measurement theory in action: Case studies and exercises. New York: Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
