Gender Differential Item Functioning in Mathematics in Four International Jurisdictions

Juliette Lyons-Thomas, Dallie (Debra) Sandilands, Kadriye Ercikan

Abstract

Past research has shown a male advantage in mathematics compared to females, as well as gender differences in mathematics performance by type of item. However, most past research has focused on gender differences within one cultural group. This research examines gender differential item functioning (DIF) across four jurisdictions that took part in a large-scale international assessment: Canada, Shanghai (China), Finland, and Turkey. The findings from each jurisdiction were consistent with previous research findings: selected response formats tended to favour males, while constructed response item formats tended to favour females. Similar proportions of items favoured one gender group over the other across jurisdictions, and Finland had the greatest number of items that exhibited DIF in favour of both genders.

Keywords

Differential item functioning, gender, international assessment, mathematics performance

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