ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENTIAL ITEM FUNCTIONING IN PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION OF 2016 MATHEMATICS MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST ITEMS IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study focused on the analysis of differential item functioning (DIF) in Primary School
Leaving Certificate Examination of 2016 Mathematics Objective Test Questions in Delta State.
To achieve the aim of the study two research questions and two null hypotheses were raised to
guide the study. The study employed the ex-post facto survey research design. The population for the study consisted of 2,600 primary school pupils who enrolled and sat for the Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination in 2016 in Kwale educational zone of Delta State. A sample of 520 pupils were selected using the purposive and stratified random sampling technique. The instrument used was 2016 mathematics objective test questions prepared by Delta State Ministry of Secondary and Basic Education. The researcher personally visited the Examination and Standard Unit to collect scores of the examinees. The Area Index (Raju) were used to identify DIF items while the inferential statistics of chi-square goodness of fit (x) we2re used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that items of Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination (PSLCE) of 2016 Mathematics objective questions significantly function differentially between male and female examinees. Items of Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination (PSLCE) of 2016 Mathematics objective questions do not significantly function differentially between urban and rural. Based on these findings summary, conclusion and suggestions for studies were made. It was recommended that test writers should use IRT methods of detecting DIF before administering their test items