Effect of Scoring Patterns on Scorer Reliability in Economics Essay Tests

Abstract

The study investigated the effect of scoring patterns on scorer reliability in Economics essay test. In this study, one research question was posed and one hypothesis was also tested. The sample of the study comprised of all the 20 Economics teachers and 120 Senior Secondary II (SS2) Economics students from the public secondary schools in Aguata Education Zone in Anambra State, Nigeria. Economics Essay Test (EET) was used for data collection which was administered to 120 SS2 Economics students to generate the scripts used for the study. The instrument (EET) was trial tested using 20 SSII Economics students who share the same characteristics with the study subjects in order to determine the reliability of the instrument. The reliability coefficient of 0.89 was obtained using scorer reliability formula. The data obtained for the study were analyzed using Kendall’s coefficient of concordance (w) in answering research question, while chi-square test of significance of Kendall’s coefficient was used in testing the null hypothesis. The findings of the study revealed that scoring an item across board was more effective in scoring Economics essay test. Based on the finding it was recommendation that scoring an item across board should be adopted for improving scorer reliability of Economics essay test in both internal and external examination; it is also necessary that the scoring pattern recommended should be incorporated in the curriculum of teacher training institution since the use of this scoring pattern in schools is not popular

Key words: Measurement, Assessment,. Scoring patterns, Examinations, Essay questions, Economics.