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The Effectiveness of Logical Distractors in an Online Module

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Listed:
  • Diego Mendez-Carbajo

    (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis)

Abstract

This article studies the differences in student learning outcomes associated with changes in the format of answer distractors in online learning resources. Employing a pre- and posttest quasi-experimental design, we compare degrees of student achievement across three versions of the same economic education online module produced by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: two versions employing the “Both option X and option Y are correct” type of distractor across definitional and analytical questions and another, baseline, version omitting it. This study documents no consistent gains in the assessment effectiveness of test items adding this particular type of logical distractor.

Suggested Citation

  • Diego Mendez-Carbajo, 2023. "The Effectiveness of Logical Distractors in an Online Module," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 49(1), pages 15-30, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:easeco:v:49:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1057_s41302-022-00232-z
    DOI: 10.1057/s41302-022-00232-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Diego Mendez-Carbajo & Lucy C. Malakar, 2020. "Flipping the classroom with econlowdown.org," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(1), pages 95-102, January.
    2. Stephen Buckles & John J. Siegfried, 2006. "Using Multiple-Choice Questions to Evaluate In-Depth Learning of Economics," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(1), pages 48-57, January.
    3. William B. Walstad & Jamie Wagner, 2016. "The disaggregation of value-added test scores to assess learning outcomes in economics courses," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(2), pages 121-131, April.
    4. Georg Schaur & Michael Watts & William E Becker, 2012. "School, Department, and Instructor Determinants of Assessment Methods in Undergraduate Economics Courses," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 38(3), pages 381-400.
    5. Cynthia Harter & Rebecca G. Chambers & Carlos J. Asarta, 2022. "Assessing Learning in College Economics: A Sixth National Quinquennial Survey," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 48(2), pages 251-266, April.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Distractors; Instructional design; Online instruction; Assessment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A2 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics
    • A20 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - General

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