Item Response Theory: Some Standard Errors
Abstract
The mathematics required to calculate the asymptotic standard errors of the parameters of three commonly used logistic item response models is described and used to generate values for some common situations. It is shown that the maximum likelihood estimation of a lower asymptote reduces the accuracy of estimation of a location parameter. If one requires accurate estimates of location parameters (e.g., for purposes of test linking/equating or for computerized adaptive testing), the sample sizes required for acceptable accuracy may be so large as to make maximum likelihood estimation infeasible in most applications. It is suggested that other estimation methods be used if the three-parameter model is applied in these situations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA129804
Entities
People
- David Thissen
- Howard Wainer