General advice on writing multiple choice questions
The following list of articles and websites contain much useful advice on writing good multiple-choice questions.
Articles
Kehoe, Jerard (1995). 'Writing multiple-choice test items.' Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation,4 (9).
Abstract: Sets out some conventional wisdom for the construction of multiple-choice tests ... applicable mainly to multiple-choice tests covering fairly broad topic areas.
Frary, Robert B. (1995). 'More multiple-choice item writing do's and don'ts.' Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation, 4 (11).
Abstract: Kehoe(1995) gave a few suggestions for item-writing, but only to a limited extent, due to its coverage of other aspects of test development. What follows here is a fairly comprehensive list of recommendations for writing multiple choice items. Some of these are backed up by psychometric research; i.e., it has been found that, generally, the resulting scores are more accurate indicators of each student's knowledge when the recommendations are followed than when they are violated. Other recommendations result from logical deduction.
Karras, R. (1978). 'Writing Multiple-Choice Questions: The Problem and a Proposed Solution' , The History Teacher, 11 (2)
Offers suggestions on writing multiple-choice questions that test both factual recall and the capacity for critical thinking at the same time.
Norris, S. (1992). 'A Demonstration of the Use of Verbal Reports of Thinking in Multiple-Choice Critical Thinking Test Design'. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 38 (3) 155-76.
Abstract: Describes a methodology for using verbal reports of thinking to develop and validate multiple-choice tests of critical thinking. Procedure includes devising normative models of thinking for each item; collecting verbal reports of thinking from samples of subjects; using normative models to rate quality of thinking; comparing quality of thinking to answer choices; and identifying and modifying suspect items.
Online resources
Self-assessment and Summative Assessment in E-education, Reference Centre website
10 Golden Rules for Writing Multiple Choice Questions
Russell A. Dewey (Department of Psychology, Georgia Southern University) Psych Web Page
How to write MCQ that are hard to guess
McKenna, C. and Bull J. (1999), Computer Assisted Assessment Centre Workshop, University of Loughborough
Designing effective objective questions: an introductory workshop