Students with Aberrant Responses in TIMSS2019 Mathematics Test in Sultanate of Oman: Comparison of Between Squared Residual Index by Content, Cognitive Process, Item Type, and Difficulty.

Abstract

This study aimed to detect the students with misfit responses for eight grade students in the Sultanate of Oman in 2019, who amounting 6,745 students, by using the Between Squared Residual Index over sections of TIMSS2019 Mathematics test (content, cognitive process, item format and item difficulty). This study also aimed to compare the results of the Between Squared Residual Index over Mathematics test sections with the results of the Squared Residual Index over item level. The results of the study indicated that the percentage of students with misfit responses ranged between (2.16% & 3.22%) and between (2.13% & 3.88%) according to the (unweighted and weighted) Between Squared Residual indices respectively, while their percentage amounted to only 0.30% & 0.95% according to the (unweighted & weighed) Squared Residual indices respectively. The results showed that most of students' abilities with misfit responses in the Mathematics Test in TIMSS2019 ranged between low and medium. The study recommended conducting studies to determine the reasons for the presence of misfit responses in Mathematics tests in TIMSS among students of the Sultanate. It also recommended directing teachers and those in charge of applying TIMSS tests to train students in the basic mathematical skills they need to reduce behaviors that lead to misfit responses.