Examiner Differences among Stanford-Binet Items

Abstract

Two reports noted examiner (E) differences for Stanford-Binet IQ scores. Relevant data provided the hypothesis that Es elicit higher IQs from Ss of the opposite sex. 5 male and 5 female Caucasian Es each tested at least 9 4-yr.-old Negro Ss ( N = 446). A factorial design evaluated effects of sex of Ss, sex of Es, between- E differences, and several interactions. Major dependent variables were IQs and an index of number of items administered each S. The expected interaction between sex of Es and sex of Ss was not obtained. Significant ( p < .05) E differences were found for IQs and for number of items administered, but only between female Es. There was no relationship between rank orderings of the female Es on the two variables. There were significant ( p < .05) E differences for pass-fail scores on 11 of the 28 items administered, disregarding all sex differences. The most dominant item characteristic related to E differences was item-difficulty level. Briefly discussed is the need for extensive investigation of E differences for other objective psychometric instruments.