Item Response Tree Models to Investigate Acquiescence and Extreme Response Styles in Likert-Type Rating Scales. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Park, Minjeong; Wu, Amery D.
• Is Part Of: Educational and psychological measurement. Volume 79:Number 5(2019)
• Page Start: 911
• Page End: 930
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: item response tree model -- Likert-type rating scales -- extreme response style -- acquiescence -- disacquiescence; Educational tests and measurements -- Periodicals; Psychological tests -- Periodicals; 151.205
• DOI: 10.1177/0013164419829855
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-1644

Abstract

Item response tree (IRTree) models are recently introduced as an approach to modeling response data from Likert-type rating scales. IRTree models are particularly useful to capture a variety of individuals' behaviors involving in item responding. This study employed IRTree models to investigate response styles, which are individuals' tendencies to prefer or avoid certain response categories in a rating scale. Specifically, we introduced two types of IRTree models, descriptive and explanatory models, perceived under a larger modeling framework, called explanatory item response models, proposed by De Boeck and Wilson. This extends the typical application of IRTree models for studying response styles. As a demonstration, we applied the descriptive and explanatory IRTree models to examine acquiescence and extreme response styles in Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale. Our findings suggested the presence of two distinct extreme response styles and acquiescence response style in the scale.