A Method for Processing Free Response Answers and Similar Item Sets

Abstract

Test answers are normally scored either right or wrong. However, if more than one correct answer is. permitted, it is possible to secure much more information from the students'responses. This paper introduces a "student-item table" (S-J table) designed to process such responses and essay-format answers in particular. The purpose is to give students more and better feedback and to supply teachers with more information regarding the characteristics of the students and test problems. Proposals for detailed analyses using "student analysis tables," "item analysis tables" and an "index of originality" are also included. The S-l table is easily prepared by hand. A hierarchical collation method for items having superior-subordinate relationships is introduced as a means for simplifying such processing.