What method helps determine test validity by analyzing individual test items?

Item analysis is a method that evaluates the effectiveness of individual test items in measuring what they are intended to measure, which ultimately contributes to the overall validity of the test. This process involves examining each question to determine its reliability and relevance to the material being assessed. Educators can gather data on how students perform on each item, identifying which questions may be too difficult, too easy, or misaligned with the learning objectives.

Through item analysis, educators gain insights into the quality of each test question, allowing them to make informed decisions about which items should be retained, revised, or discarded in future assessments. This meticulous examination is crucial because high-quality test items contribute to a valid assessment of student learning, ensuring that results accurately reflect students' understanding and mastery of the subject matter. Other methods, while important in their contexts, do not provide the same focused evaluation of test items as item analysis does.