One of the central components of cognitive diagnostic assessment is the Q-matrix, which is an essential loading indicator matrix and is typically constructed by subject matter experts. Nonetheless, to a large extent, the construction of Q-matrix remains a subjective process and might lead to misspecifications. Many researchers have recognized the…

A Q-matrix is a binary matrix that defines the relationship between items and latent variables and is widely used in diagnostic classification models (DCMs), and can also be adopted in multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) models. The construction process of the Q-matrix is typically carried out by experts in the subject area of the items…

A Q-matrix is a binary matrix that defines the relationship between items and latent variables and is widely used in diagnostic classification models (DCMs), and can also be adopted in multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) models. The construction process of the Q-matrix is typically carried out by experts in the subject area of the items…

Cognitive diagnostic assessment based on Bayesian networks (BN) is developed in this paper to evaluate student understanding of the physical concept of buoyancy. we propose a three-order granular-hierarchy BN model which accounts for both fine-grained attributes and high-level proficiencies. Conditional independence in the BN structure is tested…

Educational testing has been criticized for its disconnect from modern cognitive science and its limited role in improving instruction and student learning. Reform efforts emphasize the need for testing to provide specific diagnostic insights into students' skills and knowledge. Cognitive diagnosis (CD), an emerging paradigm in educational…

All cognitive diagnostic models that evaluate educational test data require a Q-matrix that combines every item in a test with the required cognitive skills for each item to be answered correctly. Generally, the Q-matrix is constructed by education experts' judgment, leading to some uncertainty in its elements. Various statistical methods are…

The purpose of this article is to describe the analytic process of a method of data collection known as Q Methodology. This method is an alternative method in collecting data especially suited to research on "points of views" (Coogan & Herrington, 2011, p. 24). The analytic process of Q methodology involves factor analysis, a…

In cognitive diagnosis assessment (CDA), the impact of misspecified item-attribute relations (or "Q-matrix") designed by subject-matter experts has been a great challenge to real-world applications. This study examined parameter estimation of the CDA with the expert-designed Q-matrix and two refined Q-matrices for international…

In this study it was aimed to evaluate the effects of various factors such as sample sizes, percentage of misfit items in the test and item quality (item discrimination) on item and model fit in case of misspecification of Q matrix. Data were generated in accordance with DINA model. Q matrix was specified for 4 attributes and 15 items. While data…

This article focuses on a family of restricted latent structure models with wide applications in psychological and educational assessment, where the model parameters are restricted via a latent structure matrix to reflect prespecified assumptions on the latent attributes. Such a latent matrix is often provided by experts and assumed to be correct…

The study utilised a fine-grained diagnostic checklist to assess first-year undergraduates in Hong Kong and evaluated its validity and usefulness for diagnosing academic writing in English. Ten English language instructors marked 472 academic essays with the checklist. They also agreed on a Q-matrix, which specified the relationships among the…