ERIC Number: ED040820
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1969
Pages: 9
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Typeface and Multiple Choice Option Format.
Follman, John; And Others
The effects of typeface and item options arrangement on comprehension as indicated by multiple-choice test performance were investigated. Copies of the Ability to Interpret Reading Materials in the Social Studies, SRA Iowa Tests of Educational Development, Form X-4 were prepared in four typefaces: elite, pica, proportional, and script. For each typeface condition, the item options were presented either vertically (each option on a different line) or horizontally (each option following continuously across the page). Subjects were 80 college students randomly assigned to one of the eight treatment conditions. It was found that neither typeface nor item arrangement significantly influenced test performance. However, since the vertical item arrangement produced higher results for all typestyles, it was suggested that vertical vs. horizontal in combination with other format variables might significantly influence multiple-choice test performance, and further research on the physical arrangement of multiple-choice test items is recommended. Split-half and Kuder-Richardson reliability estimates are reported, and tables and references are included. (CM)
Publication Type: N/A
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: N/A
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: University of South Florida, Tampa.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A