Item radicality as a measure of quality for attitude scales: a study using sex role beliefs

We examined the relationship between item radicality and item quality or goodness, for attitude scale items measuring sex role beliefs. Item radicality was defined as the obviousness with which an item represented an extreme position toward an attitudinal object. Initially, 70 undergraduates rated 150 sex role belief items resulting in highly reliable judgements of item radicality. Subsequently, we used groups varying in degree of sex role ideology to investigate the relationship between item radicality and item quality. Results demonstrated that high item radicality is associated with high quality items. Findings were interpreted as support for the rational approach to test construction emphasizing the use of clear undisguised item content.