For multiple-choice and True-False questions, the analyst is usually provided with the answer key. When an answer key is not available, MAKEKEY=YES constructs one out of the most frequent responses to each item. The answer key is used in the analysis and reported at the end of Table 0.3 in the Report Output File. Inspect the Item Tables, particularly the "CATEGORY/OPTION/Distractor FREQUENCIES", to identify items for which this scoring key is probably incorrect. The correct answer is expected to have the highest measure.

 

If you have no KEY1= at all, put in a dummy key, e.g., all A's or whatever, to get Winsteps to run.

 

Example: The scoring key for Example5.con is lost.

 

 MAKEKEY=YES

                       KEY1 = aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ; dummy key

 

Constructed key is:

KEY1 =

dabbbbadbdcacaadbabaabaaaacbdddabccbcacccbccccacbbcbbbacbdbacaccbcddb

 

Original key was:

KEY1 = dcbbbbadbdcacacddabadbaaaccbddddcaadccccdbdcccbbdbcccbdcddbacaccbcddb

 

The keys match for 48 of the 69 items. Item fit Tables suggest up to 29 items whose keys may not be correct.

 

The key is reported on the Iteration screen and after Table 0.3 in the Report Output file accessed by the Edit File pull-down menu.