The point-biserial as a discrimination index for distractors in multiple-choice items: Deficiencies in usage and an alternative

Authors
Attali, Y Fraenkel, T
Citation
Y. Attali et T. Fraenkel, The point-biserial as a discrimination index for distractors in multiple-choice items: Deficiencies in usage and an alternative, J EDUC MEAS, 37(1), 2000, pp. 77-86
Citations number
6
Categorie Soggetti
Psycology
Journal title
JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL MEASUREMENT
ISSN journal
00220655 → ACNP
Volume
37
Issue
1
Year of publication
2000
Pages
77 - 86
Database
ISI
SICI code
0022-0655(200021)37:1<77:TPAADI>2.0.ZU;2-Y
Abstract
We show that using the point-biserial as a discrimination index for distrac ters by differentiating between examinees who chose the distracter and exam inees who did not choose the distractor is theoretically wrong and may lend to an incorrect rejection of items. We propose an alternative usage and pr esent empirical evidence far its suitability.