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When Can Subscores Have Value?

Author(s):
Haberman, Shelby J.
Publication Year:
2005
Report Number:
RR-05-08
Source:
ETS Research Report
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
15
Subject/Key Words:
Reliability, Kelley's Formula, Mean-Squared Error, Regression, True Score

Abstract

In educational tests, subscores are often generated from a portion of the items in a larger test. Guidelines based on mean-squared error are proposed to indicate whether subscores are worth reporting. Alternatives considered are direct reports of subscores, estimates of subscores based on total score, combined estimates based on subscores and total scores, and residual analysis of subscore. Applications are made to data from two testing programs.

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