Examining the Differential Rater Functioning in the Process of Assessing Writing Skills of Middle School 7th Grade Students

When students present writing tasks that require higher order thinking skills to work, one of the most important problems is scoring these objectively. The fact raters give scores below or above their performance based on several environmental factors affects consistency measurements. Inconsistencies in negatively affect validity and reliability student cause obtained be questioned. In regard measurements, it significant identify rater behavior correct sources error. This study aims analyze differential functioning (DRF), which problematic behaviors, evaluating compositions written by middle school 7th-grade within scope Turkish course. 86 attending a public were participated study. Students' rated using an analytical rubric 8 teachers from different institutions. this correlational research, many facet Rasch model was used, five variables including students, raters’ and, students’ gender, qualification, evaluation criteria examined. examined whether show DRF individual group basis dual interaction analysis, gender x student's competence rater. findings have revealed at level does not interfere with while involved It determined mixing measurements successful lowest. Especially rigid lenient found DRF. study, observed showing also raters, did terms student.