Internal Structure of Items, Item Difficulty, and Solution Processes: Rejoinder to Silverstein and MC Lain

Abstract

An attempt is made to reconcile disparate findings as to the effect on item difficulty of variations in the internal structure of items. The critical factor seems to be whether a given alteration in internal structure entails the utilisation of quantitatively or qualitatively-different solution processes. Instances are cited where variations in internal structure lead to qualitatively different processes being used. In no such instance did there fail to be a concomitant change in item difficulty.