Added Value of Subscores for Tests with Polytomous Items

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Added Value of Subscores for Tests with Polytomous Items
Language: English
Authors: Kylie Gorney (ORCID 0000-0002-8924-0726), Sandip Sinharay (ORCID 0000-0003-4491-8510)
Source: Educational and Psychological Measurement. 2025 85(1):38-59.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 22
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Scores, Test Theory, Test Items, Testing, Feedback (Response), Value Added Models, Educational Testing, Psychological Testing, Personality Measures
DOI: 10.1177/00131644241268128
ISSN: 0013-1644
1552-3888
Abstract: Test-takers, policymakers, teachers, and institutions are increasingly demanding that testing programs provide more detailed feedback regarding test performance. As a result, there has been a growing interest in the reporting of subscores that potentially provide such detailed feedback. Haberman developed a method based on classical test theory for determining whether a subscore has added value over the total score. Sinharay conducted a detailed study using both real and simulated data and concluded that it is not common for subscores to have added value according to Haberman's criterion. However, Sinharay almost exclusively dealt with data from tests with only dichotomous items. In this article, we show that it is more common for subscores to have added value in tests with polytomous items.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1457344
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Test-takers, policymakers, teachers, and institutions are increasingly demanding that testing programs provide more detailed feedback regarding test performance. As a result, there has been a growing interest in the reporting of subscores that potentially provide such detailed feedback. Haberman developed a method based on classical test theory for determining whether a subscore has added value over the total score. Sinharay conducted a detailed study using both real and simulated data and concluded that it is not common for subscores to have added value according to Haberman's criterion. However, Sinharay almost exclusively dealt with data from tests with only dichotomous items. In this article, we show that it is more common for subscores to have added value in tests with polytomous items.
ISSN:0013-1644
1552-3888
DOI:10.1177/00131644241268128