Browsing by Author "Swanson, Len"

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    Application of an automated item selection method to real data
    (1993) Stocking, Martha L.; Swanson, Len; Pearlman, Mari
    A method of automatically selecting items for inclusion in a test that has constraints on item content and statistical properties was applied to real data. Two tests were assembled by test specialists who assemble such tests on a routine basis. Using the same pool of items and the same constraints, the two tests were reassembled automatically. Test specialists not involved in the original manual assembly compared the tests constructed manually to the tests constructed automatically. The results indicated that the progress of automated test assembly methods lies in improving item banking systems, classification schemes, and quality control measures, rather than in the development of different algorithms or in the improvement of computer time and cost. Index terms: heuristic algorithms, mathematical programming, test assembly, test construction, test design.
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    A method for severely constrained item selection in adapative testing
    (1993) Stocking, Martha L.; Swanson, Len
    Previous attempts at incorporating expert test construction practices into computerized adaptive testing paradigms are described. A new method is presented for incorporating a large number of constraints on adaptive item selection. The methodology emulates the test construction practices of expert test specialists, which is a necessity if computerized adaptive testing is to compete with conventional tests. Two examples-one for a verbal measure and the other for a quantitative measure- are provided of the successful use of the proposed method in designing adaptive tests. Index terms: adaptive test design, computerized adaptive testing, constrained adaptive testing, expert systems, test assembly algorithms.
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    A model and heuristic for solving very large item selection problems
    (1993) Swanson, Len; Stocking, Martha L.
    A model for solving very large item selection problems is presented. The model builds on previous work in binary programming applied to test construction. Expert test construction practices are applied to situations in which all specifications for item selection cannot necessarily be met. A heuristic for selecting items that satisfy the constraints in the model also is presented. The heuristic is particularly useful for situations in which the size of the test construction problem exceeds the limits of current implementations of linear programming algorithms. A variety of test construction problems involving real test specifications and item data from actual test assemblies were investigated using the model and the heuristic. Index terms: expert systems, heuristic algorithms, item response theory, linear programming, mathematical programming, test assembly, test construction, test design.