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Local Item Response Theory For Detection Of Spatially Varying Differential Item Functioning, Samantha Robinson
Local Item Response Theory For Detection Of Spatially Varying Differential Item Functioning, Samantha Robinson
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Mappings of spatially-varying Item Response Theory (IRT) parameters are proposed, allowing for visual investigation of potential Differential Item Functioning (DIF) based upon geographical location without need for pre-specified groupings and before any confirmatory DIF testing. This proposed model is a localized approach to IRT modeling and DIF detection that provides a flexible framework, with current emphasis being on 1PL/Rasch and 2PL models. Applications to both simulated and empirical survey data, utilizing a box-car kernel weighting scheme with several fixed bandwidths on irregular spatial lattices, are presented both to demonstrate the methodology and to illustrate the benefit of localized IRT modeling. …
School Culture And Climate For Younger Learners: Measurement And Association With Academic Achievement, Leon Joseph Gilman
School Culture And Climate For Younger Learners: Measurement And Association With Academic Achievement, Leon Joseph Gilman
Theses and Dissertations
This study seeks to understand the measurement of younger students’ perceptions of the school learning environment and their possible association with academic achievement. The target population is 4th and 5th grade students. Their perception of the school environment was compared to 7th graders by factor analysis, measurement invariance, differential item functioning, and hierarchical linear modeling. This study found that younger students’ perceptions are different from middle school students. However, like their middle school peers, these perceptions still predict academic performance.