Unreliability of Individual Scores in Mental Measurements

Abstract

The effectiveness of the game Order Out was investigated and differences in achievement when a) sets of fraction bars, b) pictorial representations of fraction bars, or c) neither physical nor pictorial aids were made available during the play of the game. The game was played 20 minutes, twice weekly for 5 weeks. The subjects were 85 fifth grade students in four intact classes and 177 seventh grade students in eight intact classes. Pre- and posttests of 40 items were given; in each item, the student ordered a pair of proper fractions. The game was an effective way to improve students’ achievement of the game content. There were no significant achievement differences among treatments. Post-hoc analysis of the data revealed sex-related trends suggesting two hypotheses for further study.