Wordiness: A Selective Review of Its Influence, and Suggestions for Investigating Its Relevance in Tests Requiring Extended Written Responses

Author(s):

Powers, Donald E.

Publication Year:

2005

Report Number:

RM-04-08

Source:

ETS Research Memorandum

Document Type:

Report

Page Count:

14

Subject/Key Words:

Test Validity, Constructed Responses, Essay Tests, Response Length, Wordiness

Abstract

This paper provides a brief review of the relationship between response length and response quality for constructed-response measures, primarily essay responses for tests of writing skill. Some suggestions are made for study designs that may be useful for studying the influence of response length as a threat to the validity of constructed-response measures.

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