Search

Computerized adaptive testing (CAT) is a widely embraced approach for delivering personalized educational assessments, tailoring each test to the real‐time performance of individual examinees. Despite its potential advantages, CAT�s application in small‐scale assessments has been limited due to the complexities associated with calibrating the item bank using sparse response data and small sample sizes. This study addresses these challenges by developing a two‐step item bank calibration strategy that leverages the 1‐bit matrix completion method in conjunction with two distinct incomplete pretesting designs. We introduce two novel 1‐bit matrix completion‐based imputation methods specifically designed to tackle the issues associated with item calibration in the presence of sparse response data and limited sample sizes. To demonstrate the effectiveness of these approaches, we conduct a comparative assessment against several established item parameter estimation methods capable of handling missing data. This evaluation is carried out through two sets of simulation studies, each featuring different pretesting designs, item bank structures, and sample sizes. Furthermore, we illustrate the practical application of the methods investigated, using empirical data collected from small‐scale assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Item position effect (IPE) refers to situations where an item performs differently when it is administered in different positions on a test. The majority of previous research studies have focused on investigating IPE under linear testing. There is a lack of IPE research under adaptive testing. In addition, the existence of IPE might violate Item Response Theory (IRT)’s item parameter invariance assumption, which facilitates applications of IRT in various psychometric tasks such as computerized adaptive testing (CAT). Ignoring IPE might lead to issues such as inaccurate ability estimation in CAT. This article extends research on IPE by proposing and evaluating approaches to controlling position effects under an item‐level computerized adaptive test via a simulation study. The results show that adjusting IPE via a pretesting design (approach 3) or a pool design (approach 4) results in better ability estimation accuracy compared to no adjustment (baseline approach) and item‐level adjustment (approach 2). Practical implications of each approach as well as future research directions are discussed as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This methods paper describes the methodological and statistical underpinnings of the highly adaptive testing design (HAT), which was developed for the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). The aim of HAT is to allow for a maximum of adaptivity in selecting items while taking the constraints of PISA into account with appropriate computer algorithms. HAT combines established methods from the area of computerized adaptive testing (a) to improve item selection when items are nested in units, (b) to make use of the correlation between the dimensions measured, (c) to efficiently accomplish constraint management, (d) to control for item position effects, and (e) to foster students' test-taking experience. The algorithm is implemented using the programming language R and readers are provided with the necessary code. This should facilitate future implementations of the HAT design and inspire other adaptive testing designs that aim to maximize adaptivity while meeting constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voting advice applications rely on user input to match user preferences to political parties or candidates. Providing the input can be time-consuming, which may have a negative effect on participation. For individuals who are under time constraints or who are affected by survey fatigue, the participation threshold may be lowered if there is an option to conclude the test without answering all question items. The test result should ideally be close to the result that the participant would have gotten after answering the full battery of questions. We propose a method that allows respondents to conclude a VAA early and still get results with sufficient accuracy.The method proposed here extends the Graded Response Model and the Maximum Information Criterion, used in Item Response Theory. The aim of the method is to allow the user to control the length of the test. Furthermore, we want a simpler interpretation of multidimensional parameter estimates than we get from traditional MIRT. To achieve this, we propose an algorithm for adaptive IRT capable of selecting from a pool of items that belong to separate unidimensional scales. Using both simulated data and response data from a voting advice application project, we evaluate the accuracy of shorter tests implemented with our adaptive method. When only a few test items are answered, our proposed method outperforms a static-order IRT test of equal length in identifying the best match. We expect that implementation of the method can increase participation and engagement in voting advice applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Computerized adaptive testing (CAT) is an effective way to reduce time, repetitious redundancy, and respond burden, and has been used to measure outcomes in many diseases. This study aimed to develop and validate a comprehensive disease-specific CAT for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient-reported outcome measurement. Methods: The discrimination and difficulty of the items from the modified patient-reported outcome scale for COPD (mCOPD-PRO) were analyzed using item response theory. Then the initial item, item selection method, ability estimation method, and stopping criteria were further set based on Concerto platform to form the CAT. Finally, the reliability and validity were validated. Results: The item discrimination ranged from 1.05 to 2.71, and the item difficulty ranged from − 3.08 to 3.65. The measurement reliability of the CAT ranged from 0.910 to 0.922 using random method, while that ranged from 0.910 to 0.924 using maximum Fisher information (MFI) method. The content validity was good. The correlation coefficient between theta of the CAT and COPD assessment test and modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale scores using random method was 0.628 and 0.540 (P < 0.001; P < 0.001) respectively, while that using MFI method was 0.347 and 0.328 (P = 0.007; P = 0.010) respectively. About 11 items (reducing by 59.3%) on average were tested using random method, while about seven items (reducing by 74.1%) on average using MFI method. The correlation coefficient between theta of the CAT and mCOPD-PRO total scores using random method was 0.919 (P < 0.001), while that using MFI method was 0.760 (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The comprehensive disease-specific CAT for COPD patient-reported outcome measurement is well developed with good psychometric properties, which can provide an efficient, accurate, and user-friendly measurement for patient-reported outcome of COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This research simulates an adaptive version of the IDAS‐II (IDAS‐CAT). Methods: 2021 participants from both community (n = 1692) and patients (n = 329) samples completed the IDAS‐II. Item response theory metric properties of the IDAS‐II full test and the 20‐items of the general depression (GD) scale were obtained. The efficiency and accuracy of different computerized adaptive algorithms were simulated. Different subsamples completed additional external measures in order to gather evidence of validity of the scores estimated with the simulated adaptive algorithms selected. Results: Both unidimensional computerized adaptive testing algorithm selected for the GD scale and the bifactor model chosen for the full test, allow 70% reduction in the length of administration, maintaining a measurement error below 0.30 on the general and 0.50 on the specific factors. Results show high correlations of the scores estimated with the adaptive algorithms and the estimates based on the full test, as well as correlations with external criteria almost equal to those generated with the full test. Conclusions: IDAS‐CAT could be a reliable and fast tool for measuring internalizing spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Automated test assembly (ATA) represents a modern methodology that employs data science optimization on computer platforms to automatically create test form, thereby significantly improving the efficiency and accuracy of test assembly procedures. In the realm of medical education, large-scale high-stakes assessments often necessitate lengthy tests, leading to elevated costs in various dimensions (such as examinee fatigue and expenses associated with item development). This study aims to augment the design of the medical education assessments by leveraging modern ATA approaches. Methods: To achieve the objective, a four-step process employing psychometric methodologies was used to calibrate and analyze the item pool of the Standardized Competence Test for Clinical Medicine Undergraduates (SCTCMU), a nationwide summative test comprising 300 multiple-choice questions (MCQ) in China. Subsequently, two modern ATA approaches were employed to determine the optimal item combination, accounting for both statistical and content requirements specified in the test blueprint. The qualities of the assembled test form, generated using modern ATA approaches, underwent meticulous evaluation. Results: Through an exploration of the psychometric properties of the SCTCMU as a foundational step, the evaluation revealed commendable quality in the item properties. Furthermore, the evaluation of the quality of assembled test form using modern ATA approaches indicated the ability to ascertain the optimal test length within the predefined measurement precision. Specifically, this investigation demonstrates that the application of modern ATA approaches can substantially reduce the test length of assembled test form, while simultaneously maintaining the required statistical and content standards specified in the test blueprint. Conclusions: This study harnessed modern ATA approaches to facilitate the automatic construction of test form, thereby significantly enhancing the efficiency and precision of test assembly procedures. The utilization of modern ATA approaches offers medical educators a valuable tool to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of medical education assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computational Thinking (CT) skill was a part of the global framework of reference on Digital Literacy for Indicator 4.4.2, widely developed in mathematics and science learning. This study aimed to promote an assessment tool using a two-tier Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT). The study used the Design and Development Research (DDR) method with four stages of data collection: expert judgment, usability test, simulation study, and student feedback. The two-tier questions have been tested empirically and fit with the Generalized Partial Credit Model (GPCM) or 2 Parameter Logistic (2PL). This study proved that the CAT could be used to estimate students' CT with a minimum different Standard Error of Measurement (different SEM) or close to zero (⁓0.001). According to the expert judgment, CAT was proper for measurement with a feasibility of 90.23%. The usability test proved that CAT was feasible to use, with satisfaction of 79.51%. Furthermore, the simulation study or empirical measurement explained that students' CT at the high school level were greater than at the middle and lower school levels. Thus, CAT were empirically proven to estimate students' CT accurately. Finally, students' feedback showed that the acceptance from students' feedback is 74.40% with a very satisfactory category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), a commonly used patient-reported outcome measure, was developed without fully confirming assumptions such as unidimensionality (all items reflect 1 underlying factor), appropriate weighting of each item in scoring, absence of differential item functioning (in which different groups, e.g., men and women, respond differently), local dependence (pairs of items are measuring only 1 underlying factor), and monotonicity (persons with higher function have a higher score). We applied item response theory (IRT) to perform validation of the FJS according to contemporary standards, and thus support its ongoing use. We aimed to confirm that the FJS reflects a single latent trait. In addition, we aimed to determine whether an IRT model could be fitted to the FJS. Methods: Participants undergoing primary total knee replacement provided responses to the FJS items preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and Mokken analysis were conducted. A graded response model (GRM) was fitted to the data. Results: A total of 1,774 patient responses were analyzed. EFA indicated a 1-factor model (all 12 items reflecting 1 underlying trait). CFA demonstrated an excellent model fit. Items did not have equal weighting. The FJS demonstrated good monotonicity and no differential item functioning by sex, age, or body mass index. GRM parameters are reported in this paper. Conclusions: The FJS meets key validity assumptions, supporting its use in clinical practice and research. The IRT-adapted FJS has potential advantages over the traditional FJS: it provides continuous measurements with finer granularity between health states, includes individual measurement error, and can compute scores despite more missing data (with only 1 response required to estimate a score). It can be applied retrospectively to existing data sets or used to deliver individualized computerized adaptive tests. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computerized adaptive tests (CATs) are highly efficient assessment tools that couple low patient and clinician time burden with high diagnostic accuracy. A CAT for substance use disorders (CAT-SUD-E) has been validated in adult populations but has yet to be tested in adolescents. The purpose of this study was to perform initial evaluation of the K-CAT-SUD-E (i.e., Kiddy-CAT-SUD-E) in an adolescent sample compared to a gold-standard diagnostic interview. Adolescents (N = 156; aged 11–17) with diverse substance use histories completed the K-CAT-SUD-E electronically and the substance related disorders portion of a clinician-conducted diagnostic interview (K-SADS) via tele-videoconferencing platform. The K-CAT-SUD-E assessed both current and lifetime overall SUD and substance-specific diagnoses for nine substance classes. Using the K-CAT-SUD-E continuous severity score and diagnoses to predict the presence of any K-SADS SUD diagnosis, the classification accuracy ranged from excellent for current SUD (AUC = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.81, 0.95) to outstanding (AUC = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.82, 0.97) for lifetime SUD. Regarding current substance-specific diagnoses, the classification accuracy was excellent for alcohol (AUC = 0.82), cannabis (AUC = 0.83) and nicotine/tobacco (AUC = 0.90). For lifetime substance-specific diagnoses, the classification accuracy ranged from excellent (e.g., opioids, AUC = 0.84) to outstanding (e.g., stimulants, AUC = 0.96). K-CAT-SUD-E median completion time was 4 min 22 s compared to 45 min for the K-SADS. This study provides initial support for the K-CAT-SUD-E as a feasible accurate diagnostic tool for assessing SUDs in adolescents. Future studies should further validate the K-CAT-SUD-E in a larger sample of adolescents and examine its acceptability, feasibility, and scalability in youth-serving settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of mobile phone users worldwide has increased in recent years. As people spend more time on their phones, negative effects such as problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) have become more pronounced. Many researchers have dedicated their efforts to developing the questionnaires and revising the tools to more accurately evaluate PMPU. Previous studies had demonstrated that CAT-PMPU for adults could significantly enhance measurement accuracy and efficiency. However, most of the items in this scenario was developed for adults, and there were notable differences between adults and adolescents, making some items potentially unsuitable for the latter. Thus, this study aimed to generalize the CAT-PMPU adult version to make it suitable for both adult and adolescent populations. A total of 740 Chinese adolescents and 980 Chinese adults participated in this study, completing online or paper-pencil questionnaires. Empirical data was then used to simulate CAT-PMPU, and the measurement efficiency, accuracy and reliability were compared between adults and adolescents in different stopping rules. The results showed that generalized CAT-PMPU in this study had promising measurement efficiency and accuracy, which was consistent with adult version. In conclusion, the CAT-PMPU developed in this study not only exhibited satisfactory test reliability but also emerged as a novel technical support for evaluation of PMPU in both adolescent and adult populations, which demonstrated the potential applicability in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computerized adaptive testing (CAT) has gained deserved popularity in the administration of educational and professional assessments, but continues to face test security challenges. To ensure sustained quality assurance and testing integrity, it is imperative to establish and maintain multiple stable item pools that are consistent in terms of psychometric characteristics and content specifications. This study introduces the Honeycomb Pool Assembly (HPA) framework, an innovative solution for the construction of multiple parallel item pools for CAT that maximizes item utilization in the item bank. The HPA framework comprises two stages—cell assembly and pool assembly—and uses a mixed integer programming modeling approach. An empirical study demonstrated HPA's effectiveness in creating a large number of parallel pools using a real‐world high‐stakes CAT assessment item bank. The HPA framework offers several advantages, including (a) simultaneous creation of multiple parallel pools, (b) simplification of item pool maintenance, and (c) flexibility in establishing statistical and operational constraints. Moreover, it can help testing organizations efficiently manage and monitor the health of their item banks. Thus, the HPA framework is expected to be a valuable tool for testing professionals and organizations to address test security challenges and maintain the integrity of high‐stakes CAT assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we develop a mixed stochastic approximation expectation‐maximization (MSAEM) algorithm coupled with a Gibbs sampler to compute the marginalized maximum a posteriori estimate (MMAPE) of a confirmatory multidimensional four‐parameter normal ogive (M4PNO) model. The proposed MSAEM algorithm not only has the computational advantages of the stochastic approximation expectation‐maximization (SAEM) algorithm for multidimensional data, but it also alleviates the potential instability caused by label‐switching, and then improved the estimation accuracy. Simulation studies are conducted to illustrate the good performance of the proposed MSAEM method, where MSAEM consistently performs better than SAEM and some other existing methods in multidimensional item response theory. Moreover, the proposed method is applied to a real data set from the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) to demonstrate the usefulness of the 4PNO model as well as MSAEM in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Matrix reasoning tasks are among the most widely used measures of cognitive ability in the behavioral sciences, but the lack of matrix reasoning tests in the public domain complicates their use. Here, we present an extensive investigation and psychometric validation of the matrix reasoning item bank (MaRs-IB), an open-access set of matrix reasoning items. In a first study, we calibrate the psychometric functioning of the items in the MaRs-IB in a large sample of adult participants (N = 1501). Using additive multilevel item structure models, we establish that the MaRs-IB has many desirable psychometric properties: its items span a wide range of difficulty, possess medium-to-large levels of discrimination, and exhibit robust associations between item complexity and difficulty. However, we also find that item clones are not always psychometrically equivalent and cannot be assumed to be exchangeable. In a second study, we demonstrate how experimenters can use the estimated item parameters to design new matrix reasoning tests using optimal item assembly. Specifically, we design and validate two new sets of test forms in an independent sample of adults (N = 600). We find these new tests possess good reliability and convergent validity with an established measure of matrix reasoning. We hope that the materials and results made available here will encourage experimenters to use the MaRs-IB in their research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Most neuropsychological tests were developed without the benefit of modern psychometric theory. We used item response theory (IRT) methods to determine whether a widely used test – the 26-item Matrix Reasoning subtest of the WAIS-IV – might be used more efficiently if it were administered using computerized adaptive testing (CAT). Method: Data on the Matrix Reasoning subtest from 2197 participants enrolled in the National Neuropsychology Network (NNN) were analyzed using a two-parameter logistic (2PL) IRT model. Simulated CAT results were generated to examine optimal short forms using fixed-length CATs of 3, 6, and 12 items and scores were compared to the original full subtest score. CAT models further explored how many items were needed to achieve a selected precision of measurement (standard error ≤.40). Results: The fixed-length CATs of 3, 6, and 12 items correlated well with full-length test results (with r =.90,.97 and.99, respectively). To achieve a standard error of.40 (approximate reliability =.84) only 3–7 items had to be administered for a large percentage of individuals. Conclusions: This proof-of-concept investigation suggests that the widely used Matrix Reasoning subtest of the WAIS-IV might be shortened by more than 70% in most examinees while maintaining acceptable measurement precision. If similar savings could be realized in other tests, the accessibility of neuropsychological assessment might be markedly enhanced, and more efficient time use could lead to broader subdomain assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Emotion Dysregulation Inventory (EDI) was designed and validated to quantify emotion dysregulation (ED) in children aged 6+ years. The purpose of this study was to adapt the EDI for use in young children (EDI-YC). Caregivers of 2,139 young children (aged 2-5 years) completed 48 candidate EDI-YC items. Factor and item response theory (IRT) analyses were conducted separately for clinical (neurodevelopmental disabilities; N = 1,369) and general population (N = 768) samples. The best-performing items across both samples were selected. Computerized adaptive testing simulations were used to develop a short-form version. Concurrent calibrations and convergent/criterion validity analyses were performed. The final calibrated item banks included 22 items: 15 items for Reactivity, characterized by rapidly escalating, intense, and labile negative affect, and difficulty down-regulating that affect; and 7 items for Dysphoria, characterized primarily by poor up-regulation of positive emotion, as well an item each on sadness and unease. The final items did not show differential item functioning based on age, sex, developmental status, or clinical status. IRT co-calibration of the EDI-YC Reactivity with psychometrically robust measures of anger/irritability and self-regulation demonstrated its superiority in assessing emotion dysregulation in as few as 7 items. EDI-YC validity was supported by expert review and its association with related constructs (eg, anxiety, depression, aggression, temper loss). The EDI-YC captures a broad range of emotion dysregulation severity with a high degree of precision in early childhood. It is suitable for use in all children aged 2 to 5 years, regardless of developmental concerns, and would be an ideal broadband screener for emotional/behavioral problems during well-child checks and to support early childhood irritability and emotion regulation research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating items for potential differential item functioning (DIF) is an essential step to ensuring measurement fairness. In this article, we focus on a specific scenario, namely, the continuous response, severely sparse, computerized adaptive testing (CAT). Continuous responses items are growingly used in performance-based tasks because they tend to generate more information than traditional dichotomous items. Severe sparsity arises when many items are automatically generated via machine learning algorithms. We propose two uniform DIF detection methods in this scenario. The first is a modified version of the CAT-SIBTEST, a non-parametric method that does not depend on any specific item response theory model assumptions. The second is a regularization method, a parametric, model-based approach. Simulation studies show that both methods are effective in correctly identifying items with uniform DIF. A real data analysis is provided in the end to illustrate the utility and potential caveats of the two methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technically sound measures are necessary for accurately identifying youth at risk for depression, but many studies rely on classical test theory metrics or adult samples to evaluate measures. This study examined the use of the PHQ-8, a common and freely available pediatric depression screener, in an adolescent sample using item response theory (IRT). Secondary analyses were conducted on data from a study conducted in Midwestern middle schools in which 1224 youth completed the PHQ-8 as part of a battery of surveys. Polytomous IRT analyses (a Graded Response Model) were used to evaluate the PHQ-8. Items were examined for their ability to distinguish between respondents of different latent depression severity and for differential item functioning (DIF) across demographic categories. All PHQ-8 items had adequate discriminative abilities. Items measuring anhedonia and psychomotor disturbances performed relatively poorly, and items measuring somatic symptoms (appetite and sleep) were most informative when respondents endorsed extreme response options ("not at all" or "nearly every day"). No DIF was found across grade level or race, but several items were flagged for DIF by gender and student income level. These results might not be generalizable to a broader youth population due to administration setting and the unique demographic characteristics of this sample (76.0 % African American). Tools such as the PHQ-8 are appropriate to quickly screen for depression in adolescents, but further scrutiny of adolescent response patterns is warranted. Future research should examine items measuring anhedonia and psychomotor and somatic disturbances in adolescents. • Items measuring anhedonia and psychomotor disturbances performed relatively poorly. • Somatic items (appetite and sleep) may be more useful if using dichotomous responses. • Students with different gender and income levels responded to some items differently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to develop and evaluate a Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT) system for multiplechoice success tests. In this regard the measurement results obtained from the CAT system based on Item Response Theory (IRT) and the test mode based on the Classical Test Theory (CTT) were compared in terms of the knowledge level of the students, reliability of measurement and number of items. The study was conducted on 873 students from a state-university in Turkey. The research took three years and involved three phases. According to the findings of the present study, with the developed CAT system, academic success levels of the students were determined with very high reliability. When all the items in the test were scored according to both constructs, the relationship between the scores obtained was found to be high and meaningful in a positive direction. Moreover, there is a high, positive, significant relationship between students’ levels of knowledge that are estimated in CAT systems and the score of an achievement test they received from a Paper & Pencil test. Finally, the number of questions the students were exposed to in the CAT system was reduced by 50% compared to the test based on the CTT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) was developed as a uniform and generalizable PROM system using item response theory and computer adaptive testing. We aimed to assess the utilization of PROMIS for clinically significant outcomes (CSOs) measurements and provide insights into its use in orthopaedic research. Materials and methods: We reviewed PROMIS CSO reports for orthopaedic procedures via PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science from inception to 2022, excluding abstracts and missing measurements. Bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) and questionnaire compliance. PROMIS domains, CSO measures, and study populations were described. A meta-analysis compared distribution and anchor-based MCIDs in low-bias (NOS ≥ 7) studies. Results: Overall, 54 publications from 2016 to 2022 were reviewed. PROMIS CSO studies were observational with increasing publication rates. Evidence-level was II in 10/54, bias low in 51/54, and compliance ≥ 86% in 46/54. Most (28/54) analysed lower extremity procedures. PROMIS domains examined Pain Function (PF) in 44/54, Pain Interference (PI) in 36/54, and Depression (D) in 18/54. Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was reported in 51/54 and calculated based on distribution in 39/51 and anchor in 29/51. Patient acceptable symptom state (PASS), substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and minimal detectable change (MDC) were reported in ≤ 10/54. MCIDs were not significantly greater than MDCs. Anchor-based MCIDs were greater than distribution based MCIDs (standardized mean difference = 0.44, p < 0.001). Conclusions: PROMIS CSOs are increasingly utilized, especially for lower extremity procedures assessing the PF, PI, and D domains using distribution-based MCID. Using more conservative anchor-based MCIDs and reporting MDCs may strengthen results. Researchers should consider unique pearls and pitfalls when assessing PROMIS CSOs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incoming students have many difficulties adjusting to college, and selecting appropriate measures to effectively screen them is indispensable, especially in China, where there is insufficient research in this area. To enrich domestic research, this study seeks to examine psychometric characteristics and develop a computerized adaptive version of the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ-CAT) based on a sample of Chinese students. Under the framework of item response theory, the item bank of student adaptation to college was formulated after uni-dimensionality testing, model comparison, item fit testing, and local independence testing. Subsequently, a CAT simulation, including three termination rules, was performed using real data to evaluate and verify the SACQ-CAT. The results showed reliability values exceeding 0.90 when participants' latent traits were between −4 and 3, covering majority of the subjects. The SACQ-CAT administered an average of fewer than 10 items to participants compared to 67 items on the original scale. The correlation coefficient between latency estimated by the SACQ-CAT and the SACQ is greater than.85, whereas the correlation coefficient with the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) scores ranges from −.33 to −.55 (p <.001). The SACQ-CAT largely reduced the number of items administered to the participants and avoided losing measurement precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The aims of this study were to (1) evaluate the suitability of newly developed items for calibration into 2 item banks for stroke upper extremity (SUE) and stroke lower extremity (SLE) physical function (PF) patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and to (2) assess score reliability and validity and PROM administration efficiency based on computerized adaptive testing (CAT). Methods A retrospective longitudinal study involving patients poststroke who were treated in outpatient rehabilitation clinics and responded to 28 and 25 region-specific candidate items addressing tasks related to upper or lower extremity PF, respectively, was conducted. Item response theory (IRT) model assumptions of unidimensionality, local independence, item fit, and presence of differential item functioning were evaluated. CAT-generated scores were assessed for reliability, validity, and administration efficiency, and 10-item short forms were assessed for reliability. Results Cohorts consisted of 2017 patients with stroke involving the upper extremity and 2107 patients with stroke involving the lower extremity (mean age [SD]: SUE = 62 [14] and SLE = 63 [14]; range = 14–89). Two solutions (SUE: 28-item; SLE: 24-item) supported unidimensionality and fit to the IRT model, with reliability estimates >0.93 for all administration modes. No items demonstrated differential item functioning. Scores discriminated among multiple patient groups in clinically logical ways, with better outcomes observed for patients who were younger, were male, had less chronicity, and had fewer comorbidities. The SUE and SLE, respectively, had 1 and 0.3% floor effects and 4.3 and 1.1% ceiling effects. Change score effect sizes were 0.5 (SUE) and 0.6 (SLE). Simulated CAT scores required an average of 6 (SUE) and 5.6 (SLE) items (median = 5). Conclusion The stroke upper extremity and stroke lower extremity PROM scores were reliable, valid, and efficient and had moderate change effect sizes for assessing PF as perceived by patients poststroke with upper and lower extremity impairments. Scores had negligible floor and acceptable ceiling effects. Based on these results, the stroke PROMs are suitable for research and routine clinical practice. Impact As IRT-based measures, these PROMs support clinical practice guideline recommendations for the use of outcome measures in neurologic physical therapy and the administration of condition-specific functional questions with low response burden for patients. The 10-item short forms offer a feasible alternative administration mode when CAT administration is not available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In outcome measures, item response theory (IRT) validation can deliver interval-scaled high-quality measurement that can be harnessed using computerized adaptive tests (CATs) to pose fewer questions to patients. We aimed to develop a CAT by developing an IRT model for the Patient Evaluation Measure (PEM) for patients undergoing cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) surgery. Nine hundred and seventy-nine completed PEM responses of patients with CuTS in the United Kingdom Hand Registry were used to develop and calibrate the CAT. Its performance was then evaluated in a simulated cohort of 1000 patients. The CAT reduced the original PEM length from ten to a median of two questions (range two to four), while preserving a high level of precision (median standard error of measurement of 0.27). The mean error between the CAT score and full-length score was 0.08%. A Bland–Altman analysis showed good agreement with no signs of bias. The CAT version of the PEM can substantially reduce patient burden while enhancing construct validity by harnessing IRT for patients undergoing CuTS surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transformation of the current world of work, determined by technological advances, affects and challenges the career decision-making process. To face these changes, the career self-management model, derived from social cognitive career theory, offers an optimal framework that allows studying the career adaptive behaviors that favor the preparation for career decision-making. In order to obtain a measure for the core construct, career decision-making self-efficacy, we elaborated an item bank from the selection of reagents from two scales widely used in the field for its estimation. Item analysis was performed from the item response theory. The results evidenced the unidimensionality of the item pool, with difficulty indexes and ability levels covering most of the measured continuum. As regard reliability indexes (persons and items), we observed that the allocation of persons and items might be reproduced in a predictable way. Global fit of items was suitable in most of them. We also performed two analyses of the evidence of the validity of the scores obtained through the Career Decision Making Self-Efficacy-Item Bank. We carried out a simulation study to determine the real level of ability of the subjects, providing information on the quality of the item bank developed to accurately assess career decision self-efficacy. Thus, we conducted a concurrent validity evidence study to establish test-criterion relationships between career decision self-efficacy and the more significant outcome variables of the career decision-making process: career decision, career indecision, and decisional anxiety. In summary, we developed, calibrated, and validated the first item bank to estimate the central construct of the career decision-making process, which is the first step to develop a Computerized Adaptive Test. Based on this technology, personalized evaluations of specific skills or traits such as career decision self-efficacy can be obtained and incorporated into computer-assisted career guidance systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relationship satisfaction is at the core of a robust social life and is essential to mental health. The positive and negative semantic dimensions of the relationship satisfaction (PN-SMD) scale is considered in the field of relationship studies to be a reliable tool for assessing the quality of a person's interpersonal relationships. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the PN-SMD scale by conducting multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) and differential item functioning (DIF) analyses, both of which are emerging assessment methods that focus on individual items. We recruited 511 Chinese undergraduate students for this study. Construct validity, internal consistency, and concurrent validity were assessed, and MIRT and DIF analyses were conducted. Five of the 14 items were found to have gender-based DIF traits, affecting the scale's construct validity. A revised nine-item scale (DIF items excluded) had a significantly better model fit and demonstrated comparable concurrent validity to the original scale. The implications of our results and future research directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The main aims of this study were: (1) to create a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) item bank for measuring the impact of lower quadrant edema (LQE) on physical function using item response theory and (2) to assess reliability, validity, and administration efficiency of LQE PROM scores based on computerized adaptive test (CAT) and the reliability of a 10-item short form (SF). Methods This retrospective study included data from patients treated in outpatient rehabilitation clinics for lower quadrant edema who responded to all 30 candidate items at intake. Item response theory model assumptions of unidimensionality, local item independence, item fit, and presence of differential item functioning (DIF) were evaluated. LQE-CAT-generated scores were assessed for reliability, validity, and administration efficiency. LQE-SF-generated scores were assessed for reliability. Results The total cohort included 4894 patients (mean [SD] age = 65 [14] years; range = 14–89 years). A set of 20 items was selected for the item bank based on support for its unidimensionality and fit to the item response theory model, with reliability estimates greater than 0.92 for CAT and SF administration modes. No items demonstrated DIF with respect to tested variables. After controlling for scores at intake, scores discriminated among multiple patient groups in clinically logical ways with better outcomes observed for patients who were younger with less chronic symptoms and fewer comorbidities. Scores were responsive to change but the effect size was small (0.4). There were negligible floor and ceiling effects. CAT administration of the item bank required an average of 6.1 items (median = 5). Scores correlated highly with full-bank scores (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.98). Conclusion Scores on the LQE PROM were reliable, valid, and efficient for assessing perceived physical function of patients with lower quadrant edema. The LQE, CAT, and SF are suitable for research and routine clinical care. Reasons for the small effect size for change scores should be studied. Impact The newly developed LQE PROM was reliable and valid and offered efficient administration modes for assessing perceived physical function of patients with LQE, both for research and routine clinical care in busy outpatient rehabilitation settings. As an item response theory-based measure, the LQE PROM allows administration of condition-specific functional questions with low response burden for patients. The 10-item LQE-SF offers a feasible alternative administration mode when CAT administration is not available. This study supports a transition to PROMs that are based on modern measurement approaches to achieve the combined benefits of high accuracy and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current methods for measuring patient-reported outcomes for amphetamine (speed) craving have limitation ability to adapt to the needs of individual patients while maintaining consistency in their scores. This study aimed to investigate whether the 40-item Desires for Speed Questionnaire (DSQ) could be improved for assessing clinical subjects using computerized adaptive testing (CAT). A sample of 677 participants from four drug addiction treatment centers in China was utilized in the study. Two types of analysis were conducted using the response data. First, the psychometric properties of all items were evaluated to meet the requirements of CAT. Second, multiple CAT simulations were carried out using real response data. The results indicated that the CAT method, which only required a small number of items (50%–75%), produced results that were only slightly different from the full DSQ assessment in terms of measuring amphetamine craving and criterion validity. In conclusion, this study suggests that developing a DSQ CAT for clinical subjects is useful as it leads to more efficient measurement without compromising the reliability of the test outcomes. Public Significance Statement: This study highlights the potential benefits of using computerized adaptive testing (CAT) to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of measuring amphetamine craving in clinical subjects. By reducing the number of items needed while maintaining reliability, this approach could ultimately lead to more personalized and targeted treatments for individuals with drug addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online learning systems are able to offer customized content catered to individual learner's needs, and have seen growing interest from industry and academia alike in recent years. In contrast to the traditional computerized adaptive testing setting, which has a well-calibrated item bank with new items added periodically, the online learning system has two unique features: (1) the number of items is large, and they have likely not gone through costly field testing for item calibration; and (2) the individual's ability may change as a result of learning. The Elo rating system has been recognized as an effective method for fast updating of item and person parameters in online learning systems to enable personalized learning. However, the updating parameter in Elo has to be tuned post hoc, and Elo is only suitable for the Rasch model. In this paper, we propose the use of a moment-matching Bayesian update algorithm to estimate item and person parameters on the fly. With sequentially updated item and person parameters, a modified maximum posterior weighted information criterion (MPWI) is proposed to adaptively assign items to individuals. The Bayesian updated algorithm along with MPWI is validated in a simulated multiple-session online learning setting, and the results show that the new combo can achieve fast and reasonably accurate parameter estimations that are comparable to random selection, match-difficulty selection, and traditional online calibration. Moreover, the combo can still function reasonably well with as low as 20% of items being pre-calibrated in the item bank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We particularly appreciate the authors' approach to Chapter 6 on multidimensional IRT models in which they start with linear-normal and item factor analysis and their relations to multidimensional IRT models. We were very delighted to have the opportunity to read and share our thoughts on the recent book on IRT written by Bock & Gibbons ([3]) - both authors are distinguished scholars who have made tremendous contributions to the development of IRT. First, Chapter 7 is mainly about assessing the misfit of unidimensional IRT models and thus can be treated as a prelude for Chapter 6 on multidimensional IRT models. Similar to the contrast between fixed- and mixed-effects regression, it is natural to regard multilevel IRT models as a related variant of multiple-group IRT, in which the grouping variable is resulted from random sampling of clusters. [Extracted from the article]

To speak English fluently like a native speaker, having a vocabulary of 20,000 words are required. In many universities in Indonesia, Vocabulary Size Test (VST) is still held with Paper-Based Test (PBT), so it is less effective and efficient. The aims of this study were 1) to develop Computerized-Adaptive Testing (CAT), which helps get students with a standardized English vocabulary size, and 2) to implement it in measuring vocabulary size. The approach in this study is Research and Development (R&D) with product development procedures following the steps of Borg and Gall. The findings of this study are, 1) the CAT program has Item Response Theory (IRT) parameters that can change according to the test takers' answers, and the test will stop if the estimated ability of the test takers is known (Standard Error/SE close to 0.01), and 2) with the application of the CAT program it can be seen that the total vocabulary of English Language and Teaching Department students is still <20,000. Based on these findings, this study implies that for students' vocabulary mastery to be on par with native speakers' abilities, the English Language and Teaching Department needs to evaluate the learning process and determine a particular program to increase student vocabulary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The social responsiveness scale (SRS) is frequently used to quantify the autism-related phenotype and is gaining use in health outcomes research. However, it has a high respondent burden (65 items) for large-scale studies. Further, most evaluations of it have focused on the school-age form, not the preschool form. More validity evidence of shortened forms is necessary in the general population to support the broader health outcomes context of use. Methods: We evaluated the psychometrics of the SRS in 7030 individuals from multiple predominantly neurotypical samples in order to shorten it based on non-autistic sample metrics. Analyses included item factor analysis, differential item functioning (DIF), and multiple-group item response theory (IRT) to place the SRS items on a comparable scale, which was then simulated via computer adaptive testing (CAT) administration. Results: The SRS was broadly unidimensional with few methodological residual dependencies. On average, males had more autistic characteristics than females, and preschoolers had fewer characteristics than school-age children. The final IRT calibration included 45 items equated across forms, and each form had 11 with significant wording discrepancies and 9 items with near-identical wording that exhibited form-related DIF. The CAT simulation suggested a median of 14 items was sufficient to reach a reliable score, demonstrating its feasibility across the range of impairments. Conclusion: IRT allows practitioners the ability to get highly reliable scores with fewer items than the full-length SRS. This supports the future application of the SRS in a computer adaptive testing mode in both neurotypical and ASD samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop, refine, and score a novel patient‐reported outcome instrument to assess the severity and impact of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods: The Assessment of Systemic Sclerosis–Associated Raynaud's Phenomenon (ASRAP) questionnaire items were developed with patient insight partner support and grounded in the lived patient experience of SSc‐RP. ASRAP items underwent formal qualitative assessment and linguistic testing. An international multicenter study was undertaken to field test the preliminary ASRAP questionnaire. Results: A preliminary 37‐item ASRAP questionnaire was supplemented with 2 additional items following expert review to enhance content coverage before undergoing formal linguistic testing to optimize readability. Patient cognitive debriefing interviews were undertaken to enhance comprehension, ambiguity, cognitive difficulty, relevance, and content coverage of both the ASRAP items and instructions. We enrolled 420 SSc patients from scleroderma centers in the UK and US over 2 consecutive winters. Factor analysis with item response theory was undertaken to remove redundant and poorly fitting items. The retained 27‐item long‐form ASRAP questionnaire was calibrated and scored using the graded response model. A fixed 10‐item short‐form ASRAP questionnaire was developed using computerized adaptive testing simulations. Conclusion: The ASRAP questionnaire has been developed with extensive SSc patient input, with items grounded in the lived experience of SSc‐RP to ensure strong content validity, with a focus on how patients feel and function. An advanced psychometric approach with expert input has removed redundant and/or poorly fitting items without eroding content validity. Long‐ and short‐form ASRAP questionnaires have been calibrated and scored to permit formal validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Test speededness refers to a situation in which examinee performance is inadvertently affected by the time limit of the test. Because speededness has the potential to severely bias both person and item parameter estimates, it is crucial that speeded examinees are detected. In this article, we develop a change-point analysis (CPA) procedure for detecting test speededness. Our procedure distinguishes itself from existing CPA procedures by using information from both item scores and distractors. Using detailed simulations, we show that under most conditions, the new CPA procedure improves the detection of speeded examinees and produces more accurate change-point estimates. It therefore seems there is a considerable amount of information to be gained from the item distractors, which, quite notably are available in all multiple-choice data. A real data example is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computerized adaptive testing (CAT) offers an efficient and highly accurate method for estimating examinees' abilities. In this article, the free version of Concerto Software for CAT was reviewed, dividing our evaluation into three sections: software implementation, the Item Response Theory (IRT) features of CAT, and user experience. Overall, Concerto is an excellent tool for researchers seeking to create computerized adaptive (or non-adaptive) tests, providing a robust platform with comprehensive IRT capabilities and a user-friendly interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The aims of this study were to calibrate the original 16 items from the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale to create an item response theory (IRT)-based item bank and scoring metric of balance confidence (BC) and to assess psychometric properties of a computerized adaptive test (BC-CAT) and 6-item short-form (BC-SF) administration modes. Methods This retrospective study included data from patients who were treated in outpatient rehabilitation clinics and assessed for balance impairments by responding to the full ABC Scale at intake. IRT model assumptions of unidimensionality, local item independence, item fit, and presence of differential item functioning (DIF) were evaluated. BC-CAT-generated scores were assessed for reliability, validity, and administration efficiency, and the newly developed BC-SF was assessed for reliability. Results Total cohort included 20,354 patients (mean age [SD] = 66 [16] years; range = 14–89). All 16 items were retained in the final item bank based on support for unidimensionality and fit to the IRT model. No items demonstrated DIF. Reliability estimates were 0.95, 0.96, and 0.98 for the BC-SF, BC-CAT, and the full item bank, respectively. Scores discriminated among patient groups in clinically logical ways. After controlling for scores at intake, better outcomes were achieved for patients who were younger, had more acute symptoms, exercised more, and had fewer comorbidities. Scores were responsive to change with a moderate effect size, with negligible floor and ceiling effects. CAT scores were generated using an average of 4.7 items (median = 4) and correlated highly with full-bank scores (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.99). Conclusion The IRT–based BC patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) was reliable, valid, moderately responsive to change, and efficient, with excellent score coverage. The measure is suitable for research and routine clinical administration using the BC-CAT or BC-SF administration modes. The full ABC Scale can be administered for increased clinical content when appropriate. Impact The newly developed BC-PROM was reliable and valid for assessing perceived BC. In addition, the BC-PROM has efficient administration modes with low patient response burden, which enhances feasibility and promotes use during routine clinical practice in busy rehabilitation settings. This study supports a transition to PROMs that are based on modern measurement approaches to achieve the combined benefits of high accuracy and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54) is one of the most commonly-used MS-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures. It is a multidimensional, MS-specific HRQOL inventory, which includes the generic SF-36 core items, supplemented with 18 MS-targeted items. Availability of an adaptive short version providing immediate item scoring may improve instrument usability and validity. However, multidimensional computerized adaptive testing (MCAT) has not been previously applied to MSQOL-54 items. We thus aimed to apply MCAT to the MSQOL-54 and assess its performance. Methods: Responses from a large international sample of 3669 MS patients were assessed. We calibrated 52 (of the 54) items using bifactor graded response model (10 group factors and one general HRQOL factor). Then, eight simulations were run with different termination criteria: standard errors (SE) for the general factor and group factors set to different values, and change in factor estimates from one item to the next set at < 0.01 for both the general and the group factors. Performance of the MCAT was assessed by the number of administered items, root mean square difference (RMSD), and correlation. Results: Eight items were removed due to local dependency. The simulation with SE set to 0.32 (general factor), and no SE thresholds (group factors) provided satisfactory performance: the median number of administered items was 24, RMSD was 0.32, and correlation was 0.94. Conclusions: Compared to the full-length MSQOL-54, the simulated MCAT required fewer items without losing precision for the general HRQOL factor. Further work is needed to add/integrate/revise MSQOL-54 items in order to make the calibration and MCAT performance efficient also on group factors, so that the MCAT version may be used in clinical practice and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Student evaluation of teaching (SET) assesses students' experiences in a class to evaluate teachers' performance in class. SET essentially comprises three facets: teaching proficiency, student rating harshness, and item properties. The computerized adaptive testing form of SET with an established item pool has been used in educational environments. However, conventional scoring methods ignore the harshness of students toward teachers and, therefore, are unable to provide a valid assessment. In addition, simultaneously estimating teachers' teaching proficiency and students' harshness remains an unaddressed issue in the context of online SET. In the current study, we develop and compare three novel methods—marginal, iterative once, and hybrid approaches—to improve the precision of parameter estimations. A simulation study is conducted to demonstrate that the hybrid method is a promising technique that can substantially outperform traditional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a new computerized adaptive testing (CAT) procedure for use with batteries of unidimensional tests. At each step of testing, the estimate of a certain ability is updated on the basis of the response to the latest administered item and the current estimates of all other abilities measured by the battery. The information deriving from these abilities is incorporated into an empirical prior that is updated each time that new estimates of the abilities are computed. In two simulation studies, the performance of the proposed procedure is compared with that of a standard procedure for CAT with batteries of unidimensional tests. The proposed procedure yields more accurate ability estimates in fixed-length CATs, and a reduction of test length in variable-length CATs. These gains in accuracy and efficiency increase with the correlation between the abilities measured by the batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Intrinsic capacity (IC) is a new concept in the healthy aging field and has many operationalized definitions. In this study, we operationalized IC using item response theory in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and tested the predictive value of the scale using a subsequent functional ability, mortality, and hospital admission. Methods IC was measured at baseline (2004, Wave 2) using 14 dichotomous indicators: word recall, orientation in time, balance, chair rises, walking speed, upper mobility, lower mobility, eyesight, hearing, grip strength, body mass index, waist circumference, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction. A 2-parameter item response theory model was used to generate a scale of IC at baseline. Logistic regression was used for the prediction of subsequent difficulties, measured by difficulties with ≥1 activities of daily living (ADLs) and ≥1 instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) at 4 and 8 years after baseline. Competing risk and Cox regressions were employed to test the prediction of hospital admission and mortality, respectively, over a 14-year follow-up. Results IC scores were generated for 4 545 individuals aged on average 70.8 years (standard deviation [ SD ] 7.93). Better baseline IC scores were associated with reduced risk of subsequent difficulties with ADLs and IADLs, hospital admission (subdistribution hazard ratios [SHR] = 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98–0.99), and mortality (hazard ratios [HR] = 0.98, 95% CI 0.98–0.99), when adjusted for sociodemographic and health-related covariates. Conclusion These results suggest the utility of this IC score as a measure of risk for future adverse outcomes in older people, potentially above that indicated by other sociodemographic and health-related factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to recognize someone's voice spans a broad spectrum with phonagnosia on the low end and super-recognition at the high end. Yet there is no standardized test to measure an individual's ability of learning and recognizing newly learned voices with samples of speech-like phonetic variability. We have developed the Jena Voice Learning and Memory Test (JVLMT), a 22-min test based on item response theory and applicable across languages. The JVLMT consists of three phases in which participants (1) become familiarized with eight speakers, (2) revise the learned voices, and (3) perform a 3AFC recognition task, using pseudo-sentences devoid of semantic content. Acoustic (dis)similarity analyses were used to create items with various levels of difficulty. Test scores are based on 22 items which had been selected and validated based on two online studies with 232 and 454 participants, respectively. Mean accuracy in the JVLMT is 0.51 (SD =.18) with an empirical (marginal) reliability of 0.66. Correlational analyses showed high and moderate convergent validity with the Bangor Voice Matching Test (BVMT) and Glasgow Voice Memory Test (GVMT), respectively, and high discriminant validity with a digit span test. Four participants with potential super recognition abilities and seven participants with potential phonagnosia were identified who performed at least 2 SDs above or below the mean, respectively. The JVLMT is a promising research and diagnostic screening tool to detect both impairments in voice recognition and super-recognition abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Washington Assessment of the Risks and Needs of Students (WARNS) is a computer-based assessment created to help courts, schools, and youth service providers determine an adolescent's risks and needs that may lead to truancy, drop out, or delinquency from school. Users are advised to consider the WARNS total score to work with youth. A total score estimate based on fewer items than the full item set may result in less respondent burden, administration time, and fatigue, while not hindering accurate decisions. This simulation study examined the applicability and efficiency of a computerized adaptive test (CAT) to estimate a WARNS total score under a unidimensional item response theory model. The results demonstrate that the CAT provides an accurate estimate of students' risks and needs and reduces the number of items administered for each examinee compared with the existing version. Future directions and limitations of CAT development with the WARNS are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of empirical prior information about participants has been shown to substantially improve the efficiency of computerized adaptive tests (CATs) in educational settings. However, it is unclear how these results translate to clinical settings, where small item banks with highly informative polytomous items often lead to very short CATs. We explored the risks and rewards of using prior information in CAT in two simulation studies, rooted in applied clinical examples. In the first simulation, prior precision and bias in the prior location were manipulated independently. Our results show that a precise personalized prior can meaningfully increase CAT efficiency. However, this reward comes with the potential risk of overconfidence in wrong empirical information (i.e., using a precise severely biased prior), which can lead to unnecessarily long tests, or severely biased estimates. The latter risk can be mitigated by setting a minimum number of items that are to be administered during the CAT, or by setting a less precise prior; be it at the expense of canceling out any efficiency gains. The second simulation, with more realistic bias and precision combinations in the empirical prior, places the prevalence of the potential risks in context. With similar estimation bias, an empirical prior reduced CAT test length, compared to a standard normal prior, in 68% of cases, by a median of 20%; while test length increased in only 3% of cases. The use of prior information in CAT seems to be a feasible and simple method to reduce test burden for patients and clinical practitioners alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is an exploratory analysis of examinee behavior in a large-scale language proficiency test. Despite a number-right scoring system with no penalty for guessing, we found that 16% of examinees omitted at least one answer and that women were more likely than men to omit answers. Item-response theory analyses treating the omitted responses as missing rather than wrong showed that examinees had underperformed by skipping the answers, with a greater underperformance among more able participants. An analysis of omitted answer patterns showed that reading passage items were most likely to be omitted, and that native language-translation items were least likely to be omitted. We hypothesized that since reading passage items were most tempting to skip, then among examinees who did answer every question there might be a tendency to guess at these items. Using cluster analyses, we found that underperformance on the reading items was more likely than underperformance on the non-reading passage items. In large-scale operational tests, examinees must know the optimal strategy for taking the test. Test developers must also understand how examinee behavior might impact the validity of score interpretations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To derive a latent trait (for instance ability) in a computer adaptive testing (CAT) framework, the obtained results from a model must have a direct relationship to the examinees' response to a set of items presented. The set of items is previously calibrated to decide which item to present to the examinee in the next evaluation question. Some useful models are more naturally based on conditional probability in order to involve previously obtained hits/misses. In this paper, we integrate an experimental part, obtaining the information related to the examinee's academic performance, with a theoretical contribution of maximum entropy. Some academic performance index functions are built to support the experimental part and then explain under what conditions one can use constrained prior distributions. Additionally, we highlight that heuristic prior distributions might not properly work in all likely cases, and when to use personalized prior distributions instead. Finally, the inclusion of the performance index functions, arising from current experimental studies and historical records, are integrated into a theoretical part based on entropy maximization and its relationship with a CAT process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bartin University Journal of Faculty of Education is the property of Bartin University Journal of Faculty of Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Simpler and more precise tools are needed to measure Taijin Kyofusho which is a culture-bound anxiety disorder in East Asian countries. This study aimed to develop and validate a short form and a computerized adaptive test (CAT) of Taijin Kyofusho Scale (TKS), as well as compare the measurement precision of the short form, the CAT version and its original version. Item Response Theory (IRT) method was used to develop static short form and to simulate CAT. The short form consisted of 12 items (a 61% reduction) and the CAT version consisted of average 11.72 items (a 62% reduction) from the original TKS, respectively. Both short form and CAT version have similar levels of accuracy and precision in comparison to the original scale at the group level. However, at the individual level, the CAT version can maintain a more consistent level of precision across the continuum of severity than the short form. The short form of the TKS is sufficient for an initial assessment or screening in the community population. And the CAT version of the TKS is more suitable for tailored treatments in the clinical practice, which could detect detailed changes in the severity of Taijin Kyofusho. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this paper is on the empirical relationship between item difficulty and item discrimination. Two studies—an empirical investigation and a simulation study—were conducted to examine the association between item difficulty and item discrimination under classical test theory and item response theory (IRT), and the effects of the association on various quantities of interest. Results from the empirical investigation show that item difficulty and item discrimination are negatively correlated under classical test theory, mostly negatively correlated under the two‐parameter logistic model, and mostly positively correlated under the three‐parameter logistic model; the magnitude of the correlation varied over the different data sets. Results from the simulation study reveal that a failure to incorporate the correlation between item difficulty and item discrimination in IRT simulations may provide the investigator with inaccurate values of important quantities of interest, and may lead to incorrect operational decisions. Implications to practice and future directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]