THREE-TIER TEST VALIDATION FOR MAPPING EPISTEMOLOGICAL DENSITY PROFILES

ABSTRACT:

We report three-tier test validation procedures. The aim was to access epistemological profile elements about density contents, providing a profile design for 249 high school and 75 university students. We applied the Rasch Model to evaluate the tests’ psychometric properties and investigate the profile. The results showed: i) good adjustment of the model; ii) good internal consistency; iii) uncertainty about dimensionality; iv) good adjustment of items; and v) poor adjustment of people. We found that the profile initiation items refer to a poorly articulated knowledge. Other results indicated that empiricism items, which demand more complex logical reasoning, have a similar difficulty level to traditional rationalism zone items. This result reinforces the need to discuss the assessment tools regarding students’ knowledge, especially their validity to achieve this goal.

Keywords:
Epistemological density profile; Measurement instrument validation; Rasch model