Do you mean what i mean? cultural factors and vocabulary knowledge

Nora Liza Abdul Kadir

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Type :	Article
Subject :	P Language and Literature
ISSN :	2232-1926
Main Author :	Nora Liza Abdul Kadir
Additional Authors :	Siti Rahayah Ariffin
Title :	Do you mean what i mean? cultural factors and vocabulary knowledge
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Place of Production :	Tanjong Malim
Publisher :	Fakulti Teknikal dan Vokasional
Year of Publication :	2014
Notes :	Vol. 4 (2014): International Journal of Assessment and Evaluation in Education
Corporate Name :	Perpustakaan Tuanku Bainun
PDF Full Text :	Login required to access this item.

Abstract : Perpustakaan Tuanku Bainun

The focus of this research is to see if one_s cultural factors do influence their performance in answering items in an intelligence test done in one of the public universities in Malaysia. It is an instrument used to measure one_s intelligence level and it is designed based on the Raven Standard Progressive Matrices _ Plus Version and Mill Vocabulary. This is a quantitative study where the participants were selected using simple random sampling method. 773 students from one of the public universities in Malaysia, of different ethnic backgrounds (545 Malays, 228 non-Malays) from eight faculties have taken this test. The data obtained was analysed using Winsteps version 3.64.2, and in the 88 vocabulary items (open ended and multiple-choice questions), race-related DIF was found in a number of items. It could be concluded that cultural factors do influence the students_ ability in answering the intelligence test, which means that elements of bias due to incompatible cultural factors between the test builders and test takers do exist. It is hoped that those involved in testing to be more aware of the possibility of unintentional bias towards one_s race occurring in test papers, and to be more sensitive in constructing items in any instruments that is used to measure one_s ability. Keywords Differential Item Functioning (DIF), intelligence test, vocabulary, ethnic background, cultural background

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