The development and psychometric evaluation of a computer-based linguistic/verbal creativity test

The study aims to develop a computer-based measurement tool that objectively assesses the linguistic and verbal creativity potential of both gifted and typically developing primary school students. Additionally, the study seeks to examine the psychometric properties of this tool. To achieve this, a model was devised based on Mednick's associative thinking theory, which forms the theoretical foundation for explaining linguistic and verbal creativity. This model, named the Modular Linguistic Creativity Model (MLCM), was validated through the study. The assessment tool developed in accordance with this model is called the Computer-Based Linguistic/Verbal Creativity Test (CBLCT). CBLCT was created at two different levels for primary school students. It consists of two tasks for 2nd grade students and four different tasks for 3rd and 4th grade students. The test was administered to a total of 1535 students, including 548 second grade, 511 third and 476 fourth grade students, between October and December of the 2022-2023 academic year. The data obtained were analyzed with appropriate statistical package programs and with analysed Computer-Based Linguistic/Verbal Creativity Test (CBLCT) developed by the researcher. Within the analysis process, the construct validity of the model was examined and the results supported the two-factor structure of the test for the second grades and the four-factor structure for the third and fourth grades. The psychometric properties of the CBLCT were examined by performing reliability and validity analyses. The results revealed that CBLCT is a reliable tool in terms of item and test. In addition, discriminant and convergent validity of the test were also analysed. It was found that the test had a high discriminative power between gifted and typically developing students in the third and fourth grades in terms of subtasks and total test scores. Furthermore, Torrance Creative Thinking Test Verbal Form and Creative Text Writing activities were carried out for the similarity validity of the test and supportive findings were obtained. Based on the validity and reliability findings obtained in the study, the Modular Linguistic Creativity Model (MLCM) was theoretically supported and it was concluded that the Computer-Based Linguistic/Verbal Creativity Test (CBLCT) is a measurement tool that serves the purpose. The research findings were discussed in the light of the literature and comments and suggestions were made. Keywords:Creativity, linguistic/verbal creativity, assessment of creativity, test development, automatic assessment