An item response theory is discussed which is based on purely ordinal assumptions about the probabilities that people respond positively to items. It is considered as a natural generalization of both Guttman scaling and classical test theory. A distinction is drawn between construction and evaluation of a test (or scale) on the one hand and the use of a test to measure and make decisions about persons' abilities on the other. Techniques to deal with each of these aspects are described and illustrated with examples.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
De Vries-Griever, A.H.G., De Vries, G.M., & Meijman, T.F.De Nederlandse Rijksloods. Deel II: Slaap. Groningen: Subfaculteit Psychologie van de Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, 1982.
2.
Green, B.F.Attitude measurement. In G. Lindzey (Ed.), Handbook of social psychology (Vol. 1). Cambridge MA: Addison-Wesley , 1954.
Joreskog, K.G.Analysis of covariance structures, Scandinavian Journal of Statistics, 1981, 8, 65-92. (with Discussion)
5.
Lewis, C.Estimating abilities: Inference for random variables. Kwantitatieve Methoden, 1981, 2, 17-34.
6.
Lippert, E., Schneider, P., & Wakenhut, R.Die Verwendung der Skalierungsverfahren von Mokken und Rasch zur Überprüfung und Revision von Einstellungsskalen. Diagnostica, 1978, 24, 252-274.
7.
Loevinger, J. A systematic approach to the construction and evaluation of tests of ability. Psychological Monographs, 1947, 61 (No. 4).
8.
Loevinger, J.The technic of homogeneous tests compared with some aspects of "scale analysis" and factor analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 1948, 45, 507-530.
9.
Lord, F.M., & Novick, M.R.Statistical theories of mental test scores. Reading MA : Addison-Wesley, 1968.
10.
Meredith, W.Some results based on a general stochastic model for mental tests. Psychometrika, 1965, 30, 419-440.
11.
Mokken, R. J. A theory and procedure of scale analysis with applications in political research. New York: de Gruyter/Berlin : Mouton, 1971.
12.
Molenaar, I., W. De beperkte bruikbaarheid van Jansen's kritiek. Tijdschrift voor Onderwijsresearch, 1982, 7, 25-30. (a)
13.
Molenaar, I.W.Een tweede weging van de Mokkenschaal. Tijdschrift voor Onderwijsresearch , 1982, 7, 172-181. (b)
14.
Mulder-Hayonides van der Meulen, W.R.E.H., Wijnberg , J.R., Hollanders, J.J., De Diana, I.P.F., & Van den Hoofdakker, R.H.Measurement of subjective sleep quality. Paper presented at the European Sleep Conference, Amsterdam, 1980.
15.
Novick, M.R., & Jackson, P.H.Statistical methods for educational and psychological research. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1974.
16.
Rasch, G.Probabilistic models for some intelligence and attainment tests (expanded edition). Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1980. (Originally published, Copenhagen: Danmarks Paedagogiske Institute, 1960)
17.
Stokman, F.N.Roll calls and sponsorship: A methodological analysis of third world group formation in the United Nations. Leyden: Sijthoff, 1977.
18.
Stokman, F.N., & Van Schuur, W.H.Basic scaling. Quantity and Quality, 1980, 4, 5-30.
19.
Technisch Centrum Fsw.STAP user's manual (Vol. 4: Stochastic cumulative scaling, Mokken scale, Mokken test). Amsterdam: University of Amsterdam, 1980.
20.
Torgerson, W.S.Theory and methods of scaling. New York: Wiley, 1958.
21.
Van deWijgaart, C.Program package STAP: A statistical appendix. Behavior Research Methods and Instrumentation, 1981, 13, 379-380.
22.
Van Naerssen, R.F.Eenvoudige formules voor de optimale spreiding van item-p-waarden. Nederlands Tijdschrift voor de Psychologie en haar Grensgebieden, 1972, 27, 123-133.
