What the study found
The study found that spreadsheet software can be turned into a practical environment for psychometric analysis in classroom assessment. It showed that teachers can use spreadsheets to go beyond total scores and examine item-level information.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that this approach can help teachers interpret test data more fully, identify weak items, refine distractors, and build small item banks aligned with competence-based curricula. They also say the approach contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 4, which concerns accessible, equitable, and high-quality education.
What the researchers tested
The researchers presented a methodological demonstration using a simulated dataset of 40 students answering 20 dichotomous items, meaning items with two possible responses. They used spreadsheet formulas to calculate descriptive statistics and Classical Test Theory indices, including item difficulty, discrimination, and corrected item-total correlations, and then extended the demonstration to Item Response Theory with 1PL, 2PL, and 3PL logistic models using forward-calculated item parameters.
What worked and what didn't
The results show that spreadsheets can support the interpretation of test data beyond total scores. The demonstration also illustrated the interpretability of the indices and the generation of Item Characteristic Curves, which are graphs showing how likely a student is to answer an item correctly at different ability levels. The abstract does not report comparative performance against other tools.
What to keep in mind
The authors note that Item Response Theory parameter estimation can be unstable in small samples. They also say teacher training is needed, and they call for future research using real classroom data, more automation in spreadsheet environments, and examination of artificial intelligence for adaptive assessment.
Key points
- Spreadsheet software was shown as a practical environment for psychometric analysis.
- The demonstration used simulated data from 40 students and 20 dichotomous items.
- Classical Test Theory indices included item difficulty, discrimination, and corrected item-total correlations.
- Item Response Theory was illustrated with 1PL, 2PL, and 3PL logistic models.
- The authors say the approach can help identify weak items and refine distractors.
- The abstract notes instability of Item Response Theory estimates in small samples.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Spreadsheets can support classroom psychometric analysis
- Authors:
- António Faria, Guilhermina Lobato Miranda
- Institutions:
- University of Lisbon, University of Lisbon
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-24
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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