Items Coverage of the Theories of Demand and Supply: A Content Analytical Study of Selected Public Examining Bodies' Past Questions

Abstract

The issue of validity has to do with a test covering entire domain at an adequate proportion. It is worrisome that many tests used for various purposes such as selection, placement and research, do not possess this quality. This research was conducted to investigate the extent to which selected past questions covered 'Demand and Supply'. Two major nationally and internationally recognized examining bodies 'past questions were used in the study, and they include: the WAEC and the JAMB. Newly postulated Item Content Analysis (ICA) was employed as the principal research tool. T-test and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data collected. The study revealed that the selected past questions placed items covering 'the theories of demand and supply' at the beginning of the items, but there was small joint effect of the placement on the two examining bodies. It was also discovered that there was no even distribution of items covering the mentioned subtopics between 2006 and 2015. This further shows that there is a very small effect on the level of prominence given to subtopics by both the WAEC and the JAMB. It was further discovered that the two examining bodies assessed their examinees more under the understanding level of cognition. This implies that the understanding o/a particular concept is of more value than other things as this will help in attaining other levels of cognitive domain. Then there is a large effect of cognitive state in the setting of items by the two examining bodies. Finally, there is small effect of the number of items addressing the topics by the two examining bodies. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the examination bodies should be proactive in spreading items focusing on a particular topic across the entire instrument; also examining bodies ensure that more reasonable higher-order items are set to raise the knowledge and skill in their multiple-choice items; constant review of previously set items should be done; government agencies and other regulatory bodies given a closer look at the modality of setting items and finally, researcher should explore this postulation in other areas relating to items.