The Theory and Practice of Item Response Theory (Methodology in the Social Sciences Series)

Product Description
Noted for addressing both the "hows" and "whys" of item response theory (IRT), this text has been revised and updated with the latest techniques (multilevel models, mixed models, and more) and software packages. Simple to more complex models are covered in consistently formatted chapters that build sequentially. The book takes the reader from model development through the fit analysis and interpretation phases that would be performed in practice. To facilitate understanding, common datasets are used across chapters, with the examples worked through for increasingly complex models. Exemplary model applications include free (BIGSTEPS, NOHARM, Facets, R packages) and commercial (BILOG-MG, flexMIRT, SAS, WINMIRA, SPSS, SYSTAT) software packages. The companion website provides data files and online-only appendices. New to This Edition *Chapter on multilevel models. *New material on loglinear models, mixed models, the linear logistic trait model, and fit statistics. *Many additional worked-through examples. *Updated guidance on software; now includes R, SAS, and flexMIRT.
Review
"An excellent treatment of IRT that combines a clear exposition of theoretical concepts with applied examples that are relevant and useful."--Larry R. Price, PhD, Director of Methodology, Measurement, and Statistical Analysis, Texas State University
"This is the most comprehensive and accessible text on IRT. De Ayala does a remarkable job of clearly describing fundamental IRT concepts, basic models, and even advanced models. The text's explanations do not heavily rely on equations; instead, de Ayala takes a conceptual approach and often utilizes graphs to illustrate key ideas. The second edition is up to date on the most frequently applied models and estimation procedures. It includes applied examples using popular IRT software, including R. I highly recommend this book for graduate-level courses focusing on measurement, psychometrics, and IRT, and as a guide for researchers using IRT."--Ojmarrh Mitchell, PhD, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Arizona State University
"I love this book, and find it quite readable. What sets this text apart are its extensive exposition of technical details related to models and estimation and its detailed explanations of concepts. For example, I had never seen an author decompose the partial credit model and show piece-by-piece computation of the probabilities, which de Ayala does very well. This text is a great contribution to the field of IRT that will be invaluable for both class and personal use."--Karen M. Schmidt, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Virginia
“A must read for practitioners who use item response theory to calibrate test data. It also would serve as a tremendous resource for measurement researchers who daily navigate the circuitous paths of various IRT estimation software programs to analyze and understand their assessment data....Each of the 12 chapters is packed with annotated examples of how to use IRT estimation software and the subsequent output....The author does an excellent job of supplementing explanations of various models with calibration examples and output of multiple data sets using several different IRT calibration software programs including BILOG, MULTILOG, BIGSTEPS, and NOHARM....The book is more practitioner-oriented and applied than previous classic books that provide foundational understanding of IRT models and applications....Would be an excellent text for a graduate level IRT class in which the goal of the course would be to review dichotomous, polytomous, and multidimensional IRT models an how to estimate parameters in the various models using a variety of commercially available software....I would encourage all testing practitioners who work with various IRT models, as well as graduate students who plan to go into the measurement field, to seriously consider this book. It is an excellent resource….I applaud Dr. de Aya