(Download) "Do Test Formats in Reading Comprehension Affect Second-Language Students' Test Performance Differently?" by TESL Canada Journal * eBook PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: Do Test Formats in Reading Comprehension Affect Second-Language Students' Test Performance Differently?
- Author : TESL Canada Journal
- Release Date : January 22, 2007
- Genre: Education,Books,Professional & Technical,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 217 KB
Description
Introduction Research in language testing has pointed out that test-takers with different characteristics might be affected by a test in ways that are not relevant to the abilities being tested (Bachman, 1990; Kunnan, 1998). Test format has been shown to be an important facet that could influence different test-takers' test performance (Bachman & Palmer, 1982; Shohamy, 1984, 1997). The issue of test format differences has been the subject of debate because it is generally assumed that different test formats elicit different levels of skills or abilities; therefore, such tests are subject to having different effects on test-takers from various linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Kunnan (2004) raised the issue of test fairness, arguing that certain test formats may favor some groups of test-takers but not others, threatening the validity of a particular test. Shohamy (1997) claimed that language tests employing test methods that are unfair to different groups of test-takers are unethical. If group performance differences do exist, the reason should be real differences in the skills or abilities being tested instead of confounding variables such as test formats (Elder, 1997).