Examining Item Biasness in Terminal Unified Mathematics Examination for Primary School in Lagos State

Abstract

Item biasness analysis is an important element in assessing educational test fairness and validity. The study examined the occurrence of item biasness in Lagos State Terminal Unified Mathematics assessment for primary schools pupils. The assessment contained 40 items of multiple choice which was developed by the examination unit of Universal Basic Education Board, Lagos State using primary 5 mathematics curriculum. Primary data of scores of 2018 primary 5 Mathematics 2^nd Term Unified Examination was used for this research. A sample of 640 pupils selected through multistage sampling technique was used in the study. Two research questions guided this study. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results displayed closeness of the mean and standard deviation scores for examinees groups, indicating the examinees have similar ability levels. Out of the items 16 and 17 functions differentially among the examinees based on gender and age while differential item functioning cannot be estimated based on location because it was found to comprise examinee with different ability level. The results displayed a high level of DIF. Base on the findings, it can be concluded that the examination is not free from differentially functioning items and the overall fairness shows biasness in the items. Consequences and recommendations of the study were advanced.