Studied item calibration stability in relation to response time and the levels of item difficulty between different response groups on a sample of 389 examinees responding to 6 subtest items of the Perceptual Ability Test of the Dental Admission Test. Results show that scores were equally useful for all groups, and different sources of item…

Examined a procedure for identifying and resolving discrepancies in ratings, focusing on the third rater adjudication procedure used in scoring the Test of Spoken English. Results for 1,446 adult examinees demonstrate that implementing a discrepancy resolution procedure is not sufficient in itself for quality control monitoring. (SLD)

Reflects on the development of the unidimensional Rasch model for ordered categories and the resistance to some of its initially counterintuitive implications, especially that the thresholds that partition the continuum to form the ordered categories can show an empirical problem with the data. (SLD)

Developed a multifactor Rasch scale for a visual designs test of artistic judgment and tested the instrument with 462 adult examinees at an aptitude assessment service. The sound measurement properties identified suggest promise for a comprehensive artistic judgment construct. (SLD)

Established the longitudinal factorial construct validity of the Quality of Life Scale designed originally to measure the well-being of students in Australian high schools. Results for 5,932 secondary students (1993) and 8,269 students (1999) support the factorial construct validity of the measure. (SLD)

Used Monte Carlo simulation to determine the psychometric conditions under which differences between raw scores and Rasch transformations of those raw scores are detectable through two-way analysis of variance. Findings demonstrate the inherent inadequacy of untransformed raw scores for two-way analysis of variance. (SLD)

Developed and validated an instrument designed to measure the perceived measurability and importance of the National Athletic Trainers' Association Athletic Training Educational Competencies. Data from 931 athletic trainers and sport medicine physicians support 6 constructs, each of which demonstrates high reliability. (SLD)

Examined the validity of data generated by the School Readiness for Reforms: Leader Questionnaire using an iterative procedure that combined classical and Rasch rating scale analysis for the analysis of responses from 167 leaders. The combined approach yielded comprehensive diagnostic information on the quality of the instrument's five subscales.…

Describes an extension to the Rasch model for fundamental measurement in which there is parameterization not only for examinee ability and item difficulty but also for judge severity. Discusses variants of this model and judging plans, and explains its use in an empirical testing situation. (SLD)

This book is designed to introduce the use of the Rasch model in the social sciences at a level that requires a minimal understanding of statistics. It demonstrates how the Rasch model can be applied to a variety of social science problems and prepares readers to conduct and interpret their own analyses. (SLD)

Studied whether the characteristics of the optimal categorization identified by Rasch analysis in a previous study could be maintained when the revised scale was applied to the same population (206 members of the original adult sample). Overall, the Rasch model fit well, and similar change patterns were observed in two category statistics provided…

Studied the dimensionality and construct validity of the School Development Expectation Scale for use with Year 12 students in Australia. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the postulated five-factor model in the validation sample of 8,310 students. The scale was calibrated using the Rasch rating scale, and recommendations were made to refine…

Studied the effects of item grouping on local independence and item invariance, the characteristics of items scaled under the Rasch model that make them sample-free. Data were 107 responses to a survey of teachers' opinions about the Ontario grade 9 literacy test. Although effects of grouping and item phrasing on invariance were found, results…

Developed a measure of severity of mental retardation in adults, the Level of Activity in Profound/severe Mental Retardation, scale using Rasch analysis as a guide to item selection. Results from using the scale to rate 146 adults with mental retardation support the use of the scale for classification of severe and profound retardation. (SLD)

Suggests eight guidelines to aid the analyst in optimizing the manner in which rating scale categories cooperate to improve the usefulness of the resultant measures. Presents these guidelines in the context of Rasch analysis, but notes that they reflect aspects of rating scale functioning that impact all methods of analysis. (SLD)