Investigating the treatment of missing data in an Olympiad-type test – the case of the selection validity in the South African Mathematics Olympiad
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Date
Authors
Long, Caroline
Engelbrecht, Johann
Scherman, Vanessa
Dunne, Tim
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS Open Journals
Abstract
The purpose of the South African Mathematics Olympiad is to generate interest in mathematics
and to identify the most talented mathematical minds. Our focus is on how the handling of
missing data affects the selection of the ‘best’ contestants. Two approaches handling missing
data, applying the Rasch model, are described. The issue of guessing is investigated through a
tailored analysis. We present two microanalyses to illustate how missing data may impact
selection; the first investigates groups of contestants that may miss selection under particular
conditions; the second focuses on two contestants each of whom answer 14 items correctly.
This comparison raises questions about the proportion of correct to incorrect answers.
Recommendations are made for future scoring of the test, which include reconsideration of
negative marking and weighting as well as considering the inclusion of 150 or 200 contestants
as opposed to 100 contestants for participation in the final round.
Description
Our respected and loved colleague, Tim Dunne, sadly passed away in a car accident after this article had been submitted for
publication. We acknowledge his valuable contribution not only to the article but also to the field of Rasch measurement theory.
Keywords
South African Mathematics Olympiad, Mathematical minds, Missing data, Contestants
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Long, C., Engelbrecht, J.,
Scherman, V. & Dunne, T.
(2016). Investigating the
treatment of missing data in
an Olympiad-type test – the
case of the selection validity
in the South African
Mathematics Olympiad.
Pythagoras, 37(1), a333.
http://dx.DOI.org/ 10.4102/pythagoras.v37i1.333.