ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENTIAL ITEM FUNCTIONING OF NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST ITEMS IN SOUTH EAST, NIGERIA

<doi>10.24250/jpe/2/2023/ATO/KJPI/</doi>

Abstract

The study examined the differential item functioning of
National Examinations Council (NECO) Agricultural
Science multiple choice test items (2015-2017) in South
East Zone. The study adopted descriptive survey
research design and ex-Post-Facto research design.
Two null hypotheses were formulated and test in the
study. The population of the study consisted of 10, 194
Agricultural Science students. Sample size of 728
Agricultural Science Senior Secondary School students
(SSS III) were proportionately drawn from the 72
selected secondary schools that constituted the sample
size of the study. A multi-stage sampling technique was
used for the study. The instrument used for data
collection was NECO paper III questions constructed in
2015-2017.The instrument was re-validated by experts
in Educational Measurement and Evaluation and
Agricultural Extension Education. The data obtained
was analysed using Kuder Richardson Formular 20
with reliability indices of 0.76. Data obtained for the
study were analyzed using the Scheuneman modified
Chi-square statistic to analyze all the research
questions and chi-square statistic was employed in
testing the null hypotheses. Results showed that that
Agricultural Science multiple-choice test items used in
NECO 2015-2017, contain test items that significantly functioned differentially for testees on the basis of
gender and that there was no significant difference
between male and female students on the percentage of
items which functioned differentially in the 2015-2017
NECO Agricultural Science multiple choice test
examination. It was thus recommended among others
that test experts and developers should consider the use
of Scheuneman modified chi-square in determining
differential item functioning.