Effect of Computer Attitude and Test Anxiety on the Reliability of Computer Based Science Test in Nairobi City County, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2022
Authors
Mbithi, Wambua Richard
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Computer based testing is increasingly being adopted in assessment systems the
world over because of the many advantages that it has over the traditional paper
based test format. In spite of its advantages, there has been concern that this mode of
administration should be of good quality. There have also been concerns about the
effect of some pupil psychological and personal characteristics on computer based
test quality. The indicator of test quality that was considered in this study was
reliability. While a number of studies on computer based test reliability have been
done in other countries, none are readily available in Kenya. The purpose of this
study was to determine the effect of computer attitude and test anxiety on the
reliability of a computer based Science test in Nairobi City County. The study also
explored the intervening effect of gender. The theoretical framework that guided this
study consisted of the Cognitive Load Theory, the Theory of Reasoned Action and
the Processing Efficiency Theory. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 424
standard seven pupils in Nairobi City County that participated in this study. A 2x2
factorial between subjects experimental research design was utilized, whereby
sampled pupils were assigned at random to the computer based test or the treatment
group and the paper based test group which was also the control group. The main
tool used in this study was a Science test that was administered via either the
computer or the paper based test modes. All sampled pupils also responded to the
Computer Attitude Scale and the Westside Test Anxiety Scale. A pilot study was
used to refine and calibrate these instruments. Data was analyzed using the
independent samples t-test, two-way and three-way analysis of variance.
Significance of the results was tested at an alpha value of 0.5. Results of analysis
indicated that the computer based Science test was reliable and therefore fulfilled the
quality imperative. It was also found that computer attitude did not have an effect on
the reliability of the computer based Science test. Regarding test anxiety, it was
found that it had a non-significant effect on the reliability of the computer based
Science test. In combination, computer attitude and test anxiety did not have an
effect on reliability. Gender did not have an effect on the reliability of the computer
based Science test. It was however found that there was a non-significant interaction
of computer attitude and test anxiety among girls. It was concluded that computer
based testing provides reliable test scores and therefore its use in schools as well as
in national assessments can be upscaled. Future research can consider samples from
other counties and class levels as well as other school subjects. It was also
recommended that future research considers the reliability of the computer adaptive
test mode.
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment for the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Educational Psychology) in the School of Education, Kenyatta University, December, 2021
Keywords
Effect, Computer Attitude, Test Anxiety, Reliability, Computer Based, Science Test, Nairobi City County, Kenya