DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF BASIC SCIENCE CRITERION REFERENCED TEST FOR JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MAIDUGURI METROPOLIS, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study developed and validated Basic Science criterion referenced test for junior secondary school students based on: alpha reliability of the test, relationship between item's score and total scores of the test and items discrimination power of the test. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population for the study consists of all students of twenty junior secondary three in Maiduguri Metropolis that were purposively selected with a population of 6,950 students.  Out of 6,950 students, 362 male and female students were sampled using stratified sampling techniques. Basic Science Criterion Referenced Test (B-SCRT) was the instrument for Data collection. The study found that the Cronbach alpha reliability of the objectives and essay test were .97 and .90. The study also found a positive correlation coefficient of .14 to .73 for the relationship between item's score and total scores for item 1 to 60. The study further revealed a positive discrimination power of between 16 and 56% Based on the findings, it was concluded that, the constructed Basic Science criterion referenced test is highly consistent, positive relationship exists between item's scores and total scores. The study also found that, all the discrimination power of the test were appropriate. Based on the findings, it was recommended that: criterion referenced test with at least reliability index of 0.90 should be considered by test developers when developing reliable test to ensure the internal consistency of the test. Items of criterion referenced test with positive correlation between items scores and total scores should be developed by test developers to support the validity of the test. When developing objectives or essay, item of criterion referenced test by the test developers, there is need to develop items with positive discrimination power that could identify poor average and good performing test takers.