Philippine E-Journals

ITEM BIAS DETECTION IN A SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL STEM FOCUSED CURRICULUM ENTRANCE EXAMINATION USING MANTEL-HAENSZEL AND DISTRACTOR RESPONSE ANALYSES

Diana Lou E. Sipalay | Jose Q. Pedrajita

 

Abstract:

This study flagged possible item bias via Differential Item Functioning (DIF) detection. The detection focused only on gender-based, curriculum-based and school-based DIF of a Senior Science High School Entrance Examination using Mantel Haenszel and Distractor Response Analyses as primary statistical tools for evaluation. The DIF detecting methods revealed the presence of gender, curriculum and school bias. Items that contain possible item bias, regardless of the group membership of examinees, with unreasonable difficulty that unfavorably affected the test performance of the STEM strand applicants, were commended for replace mentor revision; for incoming students to be assessed properly using tests with reviewed, evaluated and improved items.