A Practical Guide to Check the Consistency of Item Response Patterns in Clinical Research Through Person-Fit Statistics: Examples and a Computer Program. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meijer, Rob R.; Niessen, A. Susan M.; Tendeiro, Jorge N.
• Is Part Of: Assessment. Volume 23:Number 1(2016:Feb.)
• Page Start: 52
• Page End: 62
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: validity of test scores -- person fit -- item response theory -- data forensics; Psychological tests -- Periodicals; Psychodiagnostics -- Periodicals; Personality tests -- Periodicals; 150.287
• DOI: 10.1177/1073191115577800
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1073-1911

Abstract

Although there are many studies devoted to person-fit statistics to detect inconsistent item score patterns, most studies are difficult to understand for nonspecialists. The aim of this tutorial is to explain the principles of these statistics for researchers and clinicians who are interested in applying these statistics. In particular, we first explain how invalid test scores can be detected using person-fit statistics; second, we provide the reader practical examples of existing studies that used person-fit statistics to detect and to interpret inconsistent item score patterns; and third, we discuss a new R -package that can be used to identify and interpret inconsistent score patterns.