Asymptotic Variance of Linking Coefficient Estimators for Polytomous IRT Models

Abstract

In item response theory (IRT), when two groups from different populations take two separate tests, there is a need to link the two ability scales so that the item parameters of the tests are comparable across the groups. To link the two scales, information from common items are utilized to estimate linking coefficients which place the item parameters on the same scale. For polytomous IRT models, the Haebara and Stocking–Lord methods for estimating the linking coefficients have commonly been recommended. However, estimates of the variance for these methods are not available in the literature. In this article, the asymptotic variance of linking coefficients for polytomous IRT models with the Haebara and Stocking–Lord methods are derived. The results are presented in a general form and specific results are given for the generalized partial credit model. Simulations which investigate the accuracy of the derivations under various settings of model complexity and sample size are provided, showing that the derivations are accurate under the conditions considered and that the Haebara and Stocking–Lord methods have superior performance to several moment methods with performance close to that of concurrent calibration.