Vanhove, Adam, authorGibbons, Alyssa Mitchell, advisorClegg, Benjamin A., committee memberHenle, Chris A., committee memberThornton, George C. III, committee member2007-01-032007-01-032011http://hdl.handle.net/10217/47416This study examined both the interrater agreement and true score accuracy associated two different types of response formats, one using the traditional assessment (TA) approach, and the other using the distributional assessment (DA) approach. In addition, proponents of the DA response format have proposed that DA users experience less cognitive load than TA users (e.g., Kane, 2000), however, this has not been empirically examined until now. Findings suggest 1) greater interrater agreement among DA users, 2) higher true score accuracy for DA users despite minimal practical significance, and 3) DA users actually experienced significantly more cognitive load than TA users. Finally, a mediational hypothesis was tested to examine whether response format led to experienced cognitive load which, in turn, led to differences in true score accuracy. No evidence was found for this mediational hypothesis.born digitalmasters thesesengCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.performance appraisalmediationrater accuracycognitive loaddistributional assessmentText