| This research investigated the effects of test anxiety, time pressure, ability and gender (independent variables), as well as their potential interaction effects on response aberrance, as measured by W*, B*, INFIT, OUTFIT, X2dif,X 2ord and M (dependent variables). In addition, the construct(s) underlying these 7 indices and the overlap in their aberrance detection were explored. Finally, 4 types of test-taking behavior associated with test anxiety and time pressure, namely, start-up anxiety, random guessing, early quitting and plodding, were examined with respect to the independent variables. The sensitivity of the 7 indices to the 4 types of test-taking behavior was demonstrated using a computer simulation study beforehand.;The research data came from an English language test administered to 450 junior-high-school students in China. Half of the students received the test under the timed condition, and the other half under the untimed condition.;For 5 of the 7 indices, ability was found to interact with the time condition with regard to response aberrance. Time pressure tends to impact medium- and high-ability students, but not low-ability students, on their response aberrance as measured by INFIT, OUTFIT and X2ord . For the within-ability component of response aberrance, students at all 3 ability levels exhibit an increase under time pressure, with low-ability students having the biggest increase. For the beyond-ability component of aberrance, students at low and medium ability levels exhibit a decrease under time pressure, while students at the high ability level show an increase. As expected, males consistently demonstrate higher aberrance levels than females, as measured by W*, INFIT, OUTFIT and M indices.;Construct analyses for the timed group identified a general aberrance factor measuring deviance from the Guttman model; whereas, for the untimed group, a more specific beyond-ability aberrance factor was identified. The observed overlap in aberrance detection supports this finding. Normed against the Guttman model, INFIT, OUTFIT and M are indicators of general aberrance, while W*, B* and X2dif are indicators of more specific types of aberrance. In contrast, X2ord measures aberrance from yet another perspective different from the Guttman model.;A self-report Test-taking Behavior Survey helps understand these findings. Further research needs are suggested. |
