This graduate-level textbook tutorial for item response theory covers both the basics of item response theory and the use of R for preparing graphical presentations in writings about the theory. Item response theory has become one of the most powerful tools used in test construction, yet one of the barriers to learning and applying it is the considerable amount of sophisticated computational effort required to illustrate even the most straightforward concepts. This text provides the reader access to the basic concepts of item response theory, freed of the tedious underlying calculations. It is intended for those with limited educational measurement and psychometrics knowledge.
Rather than presenting the full scope of item response theory, this textbook is concise and practical and presents basic concepts without becoming entangled in underlying mathematical and computational complexities. Written text and succinct R code allow anyone familiar with statistical concepts to explore and practically apply item response theory. In addition to students of educational measurement, this text will be valuable to measurement specialists working in testing programs at any level and who need an understanding of item response theory to evaluate its potential in their settings.
Rather than presenting the full scope of item response theory, this textbook is concise and practical and presents basic concepts without becoming entangled in underlying mathematical and computational complexities. Written text and succinct R code allow anyone familiar with statistical concepts to explore and practically apply item response theory. In addition to students of educational measurement, this text will be valuable to measurement specialists working in testing programs at any level and who need an understanding of item response theory to evaluate its potential in their settings.
