English abstract
The study aimed to develop a test to measure working memory for students in grades 5-7 in Basic Education and examine its psychometric properties. The study aimed also to develop the required norm scores for score interpretation. The sample consisted of 300 students (both males and females) from grade (5-7) in Muscat governorate. The study followed descriptive research design and used several statistical methods including means, standard deviations, difficulty and discrimination indices, Pearson correlation, One-way ANOVA, and confirmatory factor analysis.
The validity of the working memory test was examined through face validity, construct validity, predictive validity and concurrent validity. The results supported the validity of the test. For example, confirmatory factor analysis showed the fit of test data with factorial structure of the working memory. In addition, the test showed high predictive validity for students' achievement for several subjects.
The reliability of the test was examined using Cronbach Alpha reliability and test-retest reliability. Cronbach Alpha reliability ranged between 0.62 and 0.86 for the three grades. Similarly, test-retest reliability was between 0.35 and 0.75. Finally, the norm scores for raw scores in the test were computed using standardized scores and percentile ranks for each of the three subtests within each grade. The results were discussed and several recommendations were reported.
