ERIC Number: EJ1010171
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Apr
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0013-1644
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Comparison of Uniform DIF Effect Size Estimators under the MIMIC and Rasch Models
Jin, Ying; Myers, Nicholas D.; Ahn, Soyeon; Penfield, Randall D.
Educational and Psychological Measurement, v73 n2 p339-358 Apr 2013
The Rasch model, a member of a larger group of models within item response theory, is widely used in empirical studies. Detection of uniform differential item functioning (DIF) within the Rasch model typically employs null hypothesis testing with a concomitant consideration of effect size (e.g., signed area [SA]). Parametric equivalence between confirmatory factor analysis under the multiple indicators, multiple causes (MIMIC) model and the Rasch model has been established. Unlike the Rasch approach to DIF, however, the parallel MIMIC approach to DIF detection has relied exclusively on null hypothesis testing. This study derived an effect size estimator for DIF under the MIMIC model (MIMIC-ES) and then investigated the ability of MIMIC-ES to correctly estimate the magnitude of DIF as compared to the SA approach under the Rasch model (Rasch-ES) in a Monte Carlo study. Variables manipulated were sample size, mean ability difference, DIF size, number of DIF items, and item difficulty levels. Results indicated that MIMIC-ES performed well when there was no mean ability difference. When mean ability difference was present, MIMIC-ES became increasingly imprecise and unstable when the sample size was small for all DIF sizes and number of DIF items. MIMIC-ES outperformed Rasch-ES when the number of DIF items reached 30%. (Contains 3 figures, 2 tables, and 9 notes.)
Descriptors: Test Bias, Effect Size, Item Response Theory, Comparative Analysis, Factor Analysis, Monte Carlo Methods, Sample Size, Test Items, Difficulty Level, Hypothesis Testing
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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