ERIC Number: EJ1045290
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014-Dec
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0013-1644
EISSN: N/A
Application of the Overclaiming Technique to Scholastic Assessment
Paulhus, Delroy L.; Dubois, Patrick J.
Educational and Psychological Measurement, v74 n6 p975-990 Dec 2014
The overclaiming technique is a novel assessment procedure that uses signal detection analysis to generate indices of knowledge accuracy (OC-accuracy) and self-enhancement (OC-bias). The technique has previously shown robustness over varied knowledge domains as well as low reactivity across administration contexts. Here we compared the OC-accuracy index with multiple choice (MC) and short answer (SA) tests in assessing knowledge of introductory psychology topics in a sample of 108 undergraduates. Results indicated that OC-accuracy was (a) comparable to MC and SA in predicting overall course grades and (b) superior to SA tests in reliability achieved per unit administration time. By including the OC-bias index, the overclaiming method also adds a unique element to scholastic testing, namely, a measure of knowledge self-enhancement. The latter index was a "negative" predictor of overall course grade, suggesting a narcissistic self-destructiveness. Because the self-enhancement index adds no extra administration time to the knowledge measure, the overclaiming approach provides a more rich and efficient information source compared with traditional methods of scholastic assessment.
Descriptors: Educational Assessment, Knowledge Level, Accuracy, Cognitive Ability, Bias, Robustness (Statistics), Psychology, Multiple Choice Tests, Essay Tests, Comparative Analysis, Test Validity, Prediction, Responses, Undergraduate Students, Predictor Variables, Predictive Validity, Correlation, Regression (Statistics), Self Concept, Time on Task, Familiarity
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A