ANALYSIS OF GENDER AND SCHOOL LOCATION-RELATED DIFFERENTIAL ITEMS IN YORUBA LANGUAGE MULTIPLE-CHOICE ITEMS OF THE QUALIFYING EXAMINATION ADMINISTERED BY THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate which item show differential item functioning (D I F) for Male and Female students as well as Rural and Urban students in Yoruba language Qualifying Examination conducted by Oyo state Ministry of  Education in 2013 in Oyo state. The study  was carried out in Ibadan North and Akinyele  Local Government Area  using the responses of Senior Secondary School Students who sat for May / June 2013 Qualifying Examination in Yoruba language conducted by Oyo state Ministry of Education. Data were obtained from responses of 2,000 students in 50 Yoruba language multiple choice items. The students (examinees) were obtained from ten (10) Senior Secondary Schools randomly sampled from twenty five (25) coeducation schools. D I F was investigated using Scheuneuman modified chi-square Statistics (SS.2). The result of the analysis showed that only one (1) item has guessing parameter of 0.24. The result further indicated that Male and Female examinees function differential in 9 items and no difference in 91% items. Also, Rural and Urban examinees function differential in 3 items and no differential in  97 items. On the basis of the analysis, it become necessary  that Oyo state Qualifying Examination body should set and administer items that are fair  so that quality Education in terms of Certificate is assured.