A New Item Response Theory Modeling Approach with Applications to Unidimensionality Assessment and Ability Estimation

Abstract

Using an infinite item test framework, it is argued that the usual assumption of local independence be replaced by a weaker assumption, essential independence. A fortiori, the usual assumption of unidimensionality is replaced by a weaker and arguably more appropriate statistically testable assumption of essential unidimensionality. Essential unidimensionality implies the existence of a unique unidimensional latent ability. Essential unidimensionality is equivalent to the consistent estimation of this latent ability in an ordinal scaling sense using any balanced linear formula scoring scheme. A variation of this estimation approach allows consistent estimation of ability on the given latent ability scale.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA207301

Entities

People

  • William F. Stout

Organizations

  • University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Data Science
  • Estimators
  • Information Science
  • Measurement
  • Military Research
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Personnel Management
  • Psychological Tests
  • Psychology
  • Random Variables
  • Standards
  • Statistical Algorithms
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Statistical Sampling
  • Statistical Tests
  • Statistics
  • Surveys

Fields of Study

  • Mathematics

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Computer Engineering
  • Regression Analysis.