Historically, organizational researchers have fully embraced frequentist statistics and null hypothesis significance testing (NHST). Bayesian statistics is an underused alternative paradigm offering numerous benefits for organizational researchers and practitioners: e.g., accumulating direct evidence for the null hypothesis (vs. 'fail to reject…

The purpose of this study was to compare calibration and linking methods for placing pretest item parameter estimates on the item pool scale in a 1-3 computerized multistage adaptive testing design in terms of item parameter recovery. Two models were used: embedded-section, in which pretest items were administered within a separate module, and…

Classical automated test assembly (ATA) methods assume fixed and known coefficients for the constraints and the objective function. This hypothesis is not true for the estimates of item response theory parameters, which are crucial elements in test assembly classical models. To account for uncertainty in ATA, we propose a chance-constrained…

The development of cognitive diagnostic-computerized adaptive testing (CD-CAT) has provided a new perspective for gaining information about examinees' mastery on a set of cognitive attributes. This study proposes a new item selection method within the framework of dual-objective CD-CAT that simultaneously addresses examinees' attribute mastery…

Multivariate normality is required for some statistical tests. This paper explores the implications of violating the assumption of multivariate normality and illustrates a graphical procedure for evaluating multivariate normality. The logic for using the multivariate bootstrap is presented. The multivariate bootstrap can be used when distribution…

To satisfy the security requirements of computerized adaptive tests (CATs), efforts have been made to control the exposure rates of optimal items directly by incorporating statistical methods into the item selection procedure. Since differences are likely to occur between the exposure control parameter derivation stage and the operational CAT…

Compared the nominal and empirical null distributions of the standardized log-likelihood statistic for polytomous items for paper-and-pencil (P&P) and computerized adaptive tests (CATs). Results show that the empirical distribution of the statistic differed from the assumed standard normal distribution for both P&P tests and CATs. Also…

Approaches for norming skewed test score distributions are reviewed, and an analytical approach is proposed for norming the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC). Methods used in constructing norms for several well-known personality instruments that are reviewed include: (1) linear T-scores transformation in the Minnesota Multiphasic…

The purpose of this paper is to describe the techniques used in establishing the concordance tables between the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), paper and pencil (P&P), and computer-based testing (CBT) sections and total reported score scales. Listening, reading, and composite structure and essay scores plus a total score are…

Theoretical null distributions of several fit statistic have been derived for paper-and-pencil tests. Examined whether these distributions also hold for computerized adaptive tests through simulation. Rates for two statistics studied were found to be similar in most cases. (SLD)

Evaluated the distribution of person fit within the computerized-adaptive testing (CAT) environment through simulation. Found that, within the CAT environment, these indexes tend not to follow a standard normal distribution. Person fit indexes had means and standard deviations that were quite different from the expected. (SLD)

Simulated data were used to investigate the impact of characteristics of threshold values (number, symmetry, and distance between adjacent threshold values) and delta values on the distribution of item information in the successive intervals Rasch model. Implications for computerized adaptive attitude measurement are discussed. (SLD)

This paper investigates the performance of CATSIB (a modified version of the SIBTEST computer program) to assess differential item functioning (DIF) in the context of computerized adaptive testing (CAT). One of the distinguishing features of CATSIB is its theoretically built-in regression correction to control for the Type I error rates when the…

This paper describes a study, now in progress, of new methods for representing the sampling variability of Mantel-Haenszel differential item functioning (DIF) results, based on the system for categorizing the severity of DIF that is now in place at the Educational Testing Service. The methods, which involve a Bayesian elaboration of procedures…

A method of item pool design is proposed that uses an optimal blueprint for the item pool calculated from the test specifications. The blueprint is a document that specifies the attributes that the items in the computerized adaptive test (CAT) pool should have. The blueprint can be a starting point for the item writing process, and it can be used…