In the context of multiple choice items, what are 'distractors'?

Distractors are the incorrect possible answers included in a multiple-choice question. Their purpose is to challenge the test-taker's understanding of the material and help distinguish between those who have mastered the content and those who have not. Effective distractors should be plausible enough to seem credible to someone who may not have a complete understanding of the subject matter, thus making the question more difficult and engaging. This helps assess not just the student's ability to choose the right answer, but also their comprehension of related concepts, ensuring that they can think critically about the material presented.