The Application of Sequential Probability Ratio Testing to a Test of Motor Skill

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Abstract
When a criterion-referenced lest is used to make mastery/nonmastery classifications, the probability of false positive and false negative classifications must be considered as well as the minimum skill level for mastery classification and maximum skill level for nonmastery classification. These constraints can lead to an excessively long fixed-length criterion-referenced test. In this investigation, an alternative strategy for testing—the sequential probability ratio test—was applied to a test of motor skill. The applicability of this procedure was examined using a golf chip test with parameters of α = .05, β = .05, θ0 = .7, and θ1 = .5. The test classifications had acceptable reliability and moderate validity. The sequential test classified almost half of the students in 15 or fewer trials. However, four students could be classified only after more than 65 trials, thus raising a question about the feasibility of using this testing procedure in a physical education class. On the other hand, feasibility should not be the sole criterion for test selection. Although a criterion-referenced test consisting of a small, arbitrarily set number of trials may take less time to administer, fewer classification errors will be made when a sequential test is used.

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