Advanced modeling of item response data through the item response theory (IRT) or item factor analysis frameworks is becoming increasingly popular. In the social and behavioral sciences, the underlying structure of tests/assessments is often multidimensional (i.e., more than 1 latent variable/construct is represented in the items). This review…

The affordances and pedagogical benefits of technology in the English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classrooms are widely acknowledged. One potential use of technology is in eliciting and managing students' responses, which is an area where EAP/ESP teachers often report difficulties. Traditionally, teachers…

This essay reviews and comments on "Evidence-Based Reading Practices for Response to Intervention," edited by Diane Haager, Janette Klingner, and Sharon Vaughn, one of the earliest books published on an initiative in the United States to provide instructional support for students who experience difficulties with literacy and learning…

The author reviews "Rainbow in the Stone: Selected Poems," by Robert A. Neimeyer, showing its relevance to the field of thanatology. Most applicable to "Death Studies" readers are the poems from the "Lessons of Loss" section which express the language of loss and deep emotion. The reviewer finds the poem "Visitor" most poignant in its description…

This handbook contains 27 chapters, each containing a description of a single Item Response Theory (IRT) model written by the author who originally proposed it. All chapters use the same notation and follow the same format, making the book an excellent source for information about IRT models. (SLD)

This introductory textbook is a comprehensive guide to the use of item response theory (IRT) methods for psychologists. It bridges the gap between conventional wisdom on IRT and important recent developments that now characterize the field. (SLD)

This book is designed to introduce the use of the Rasch model in the social sciences at a level that requires a minimal understanding of statistics. It demonstrates how the Rasch model can be applied to a variety of social science problems and prepares readers to conduct and interpret their own analyses. (SLD)

The book answers practical questions about item response theory (IRT) in four sections: (1) an introduction to the concepts; (2) IRT theories and principles; (3) fundamentals of IRT; and (4) applications of IRT models. The book is useful for anyone trying to learn about IRT and how to use it. (SLD)

This book is a compendium of recent item response theory (IRT) research that reviews 27 IRT models. The book contains a historical overview of IRT followed by six sections that deal with the application of a particular IRT model or set of models. (SLD)

The Rasch Scaling Program (RSP) is a software package for applying the one-parameter logistic (Rasch) model to dichotomously scored item response data. RSP contains a thorough introduction to the Rasch model (1960, 1980) including explanations of the estimation methods and directions for running the program. (SLD)

Any item response theory (IRT) researcher or practitioner will find something of interest in this book, which covers a broad range of topics in essays by well-known researchers. Chapters are organized into sections devoted to parametric and nonparametric IRT topics. (SLD)

Yen and Burket suggested that shrinkage in vertical equating cannot be understood apart from multidimensionality. Reviews research on reliability, multidimensionality, and scale shrinkage, and explores issues of practical importance to educators. (SLD)

Introduces this special issue on nonparametric item response theory and discusses its use in psychological and sociological research. Outlines each of the eight articles in the issue. (SLD)

Discusses the papers in this special issue, emphasizing the practical applicability of nonparametric item response theory (NIRT) and how NIRT addresses lack-of-fit issues. Also discusses the ability of NIRT to assess latent multidimensionality and the relation of latent multidimensionality analyses to construct validity. (SLD)

This volume is designed to supplement contemporary textbooks on measurement and testing by explicating some often neglected topics, with particular emphasis on item response theory (IRT). Six chapters focus on the measurement of cognitive abilities, four focus on personality measurement, and a closing chapter contains an overview of IRT. The book…