A statistical method for the quantification of the learning index by means of multiple answer tests-Graduated Response Test.

摘要

In the fields of didactics and continuous professional development (CPD) plans, the increasing use of multiple answer tests for the evaluation of the level of knowledge in various kinds of subjects makes it increasingly important to have reliable and effective tools for data processing and for the evaluation of the results. The aim of the present work is to explore a new methodological approach based on a widely tested statistical analysis able to yield more information content when compared with the traditional methods. With this purpose we suggest a Graduated Response Test and the relative operating characteristic curve (ROC) for the evaluation of the results. A short description of a computerized procedure, written in Visual Basic Pro (v.6.0), which automatically performs the statistical analysis, the ROC curves plot and the calculation of a learning index is given as well.