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An Investigation into Gender Differential Item Functioning of 2023 Mathematics Objective Test Conducted by The West African Examinations Council, Nigeria using IRT

Oriyomi Olorunwa Olubanwo, Adebola Sunday Ifamuyiwa, Janet Oyebola Adetayo

Abstract

The sole purpose of administering test is to obtain the true ability of examinees which has not been duly achieved with many measuring instruments. This study investigated gender differential item functioning of 2023 Mathematics objective test conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) using Item Response Theory (IRT). The study adopted a survey research design, and a multistage sampling procedure was used to select 9,410 candidates who sat WASSCE (SC) in 2023 in the selected states to participate in the study. Three research questions were raised for the study. The research used a proforma tagged WASSCE Response Form (WASSCERF) to collect the multiple-choice responses of the selected candidates in Mathematics WASSCE (SC) 2023 from ICTD, WAEC, Lagos, as instrument to perform differential item functioning analysis. Data were analysed using chi-square likelihood ratio method of DIF. Findings from the study reveals that there is significant DIF as 15 (30%) of the mathematics test items functioned differently based on gender (male and female). The study also showed that out of the 15 items that functioned differently, 11 was due to item impact while 4 was due to item bias. Based on the findings, it was recommended that continuous monitoring and review processes should be established., which includes conducting regular item analysis, bias analysis, and differential item functioning analysis to identify and address any biases that may arise over time.

Keywords

Examinees’ genderIRTMultiple-choice MathematicsWASSCE

References

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