mctest.hlp.htm

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help for mctest
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Multiple Choice Test Item Analysis

        mctest varlist [, generate(newvar) centile(integer) correct(prefix)
              delete ]


Description
mctest performs an item analysis for multiple choice tests.

Options

generate creates a new variable containing the total number of correct items.

centile determines the cut points for the high and low groups. By default
    centile is set to 25 which equates to high being in the 4th quartile (>=
    75th pctile) and low being in the 1st quartile (<= 25th pctile).  Using
    centile(33) would break the distribution into equal thirds.

correct creates new variables containing the binary response with 1 = correct
    and 0 = wrong for each item in lines 3/l.  The new variables are named with
    with prefix appended to the beginning of the item name. It also places 1's
    in line 1 (the key) and 2's in line 2 (the number of alternatives).

delete computes point biserials with the item deleted from the total score.

Organization of Data

The first line in the data file is the answer key, i.e., the correct choices
    for each item.

The second line in the data file is the number of alternatives for each item.

The remaining lines contain the responses of the individuals to each of the
    items.


Examples

 . mctest i1-i15
 . mctest i1-i15, generate(score)
 . mctest i1-i15, centile(33) delete
 . mctest i1-i15, correct(c)


Author

     Philip B. Ender
     UCLA Department of Education
     UCLA Academic Technology Services
     enderatucla.edu