Multiple-Choice Testing Using Immediate Feedback-Assessment Technique (IF AT®) Forms: Second-Chance Guessing vs. Second-Chance Learning?

Authors

Jeremy D. Merrel, Southern Connecticut State University
Pier F. Cirillo, University of New HavenFollow
Pauline M. Schwartz, University of New HavenFollow
Jeffrey Webb, Southern Connecticut State University

Author URLs

Professor Schwartz's faculty profile

Professor Cirillo's faculty profile

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2015

Subject: LCSH

Educational tests and measurements

Disciplines

Chemical Engineering | Chemistry

Abstract

Multiple choice testing is a common but often ineffective method for evaluating learning. A newer approach, however, using Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique (IF AT®, Epstein Educational Enterprise, Inc.) forms, offers several advantages. In particular, a student learns immediately if his or her answer is correct and, in the case of an incorrect answer, has an opportunity to provide a second response and receive partial credit for a correct second attempt. For a multiple choice question with five possible answers, the IF AT® form covers spaces labeled A through E with a thin opaque film; when the film is scratched away, a star indicates the correct answer. This study was conducted in order to assess learning after an initial incorrect answer. Based on random chance, students should have mathematically a 25% chance of guessing a correct second answer (i.e. 1 of 4 remaining answers on the IF AT® form). Analysis of second responses for 8775 questions on IF AT® forms in 22 classes over 3 years showed that the percent of correct second answers was 44.9%, significantly higher than one might expect from random guessing. This indicates that students learned from an incorrect answer and, possibly by re-reading the problem, were able to demonstrate some level of mastery of the material. This data leads us to conclude that IF AT® forms are useful assessment tools.

Comments

Open access.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

DOI

DOI: 10.5539/hes.v5n5p50

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Repository Citation

Merrel, Jeremy D.; Cirillo, Pier F.; Schwartz, Pauline M.; and Webb, Jeffrey, "Multiple-Choice Testing Using Immediate Feedback-Assessment Technique (IF AT®) Forms: Second-Chance Guessing vs. Second-Chance Learning?" (2015). Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Faculty Publications. 5.
https://digitalcommons.newhaven.edu/chemicalengineering-facpubs/5

Publisher Citation

Merrel, J.D., Cirillo, P.F., Schwartz, P.M. and Webb, J.A. (2015). Multiple choice testing using immediate feedback – assessment technique (IF AT®) forms: assessing learning from mistakes. Higher Education Studies, 5(5): 50-55.