Back to Search Start Over

Item Response Theory Scaling with Heterogeneous Populations.

Item Response Theory Scaling with Heterogeneous Populations.

Authors :
Blais, Jean-Guy
Publication Year :
1993

Abstract

Tools used in scaling proficiency scores from the Second International Assessment of Educational Progress (IAEP) are described. The second IAEP study, conducted in 1991, was an international comparative study of the mathematics and science skills of samples of 9- and 13-year-old students from 20 countries. This paper focuses on part of the second stage of data analysis, work done in creating a unique scale for all the participating populations, that is, creating reference populations, scaling methodology, and linkage of 9- and 13-year-old populations. All populations contributed to four combined reference populations, superpopulations, one for each age group by mathematics and science combination. The item response theory scaling model is the three-parameter logistic model. Linking was accomplished through a small set of common items included in the 9- and 13-year-old assessments in each subject area. Results show that even if on an item-by-item basis the equating gives results that are not ideal, when all items are taken into account, student proficiency scores estimated with both sets of item parameter estimates can be considered to be on the same scale. Results further indicate that no information has been lost as a result of using one set of item parameter estimates over another. Fourteen tables and 16 figures present analysis data. (SLD)

Details

Language :
English
Database :
ERIC
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
ED358105
Document Type :
Reports - Evaluative<br />Speeches/Meeting Papers