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Item-focussed Trees for the Identification of Items in Differential Item Functioning

Author

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  • Gerhard Tutz

    (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität)

  • Moritz Berger

    (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität)

Abstract

A novel method for the identification of differential item functioning (DIF) by means of recursive partitioning techniques is proposed. We assume an extension of the Rasch model that allows for DIF being induced by an arbitrary number of covariates for each item. Recursive partitioning on the item level results in one tree for each item and leads to simultaneous selection of items and variables that induce DIF. For each item, it is possible to detect groups of subjects with different item difficulties, defined by combinations of characteristics that are not pre-specified. The way a DIF item is determined by covariates is visualized in a small tree and therefore easily accessible. An algorithm is proposed that is based on permutation tests. Various simulation studies, including the comparison with traditional approaches to identify items with DIF, show the applicability and the competitive performance of the method. Two applications illustrate the usefulness and the advantages of the new method.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerhard Tutz & Moritz Berger, 2016. "Item-focussed Trees for the Identification of Items in Differential Item Functioning," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 81(3), pages 727-750, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:psycho:v:81:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s11336-015-9488-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11336-015-9488-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Strobl, Carolin & Boulesteix, Anne-Laure & Augustin, Thomas, 2007. "Unbiased split selection for classification trees based on the Gini Index," Computational Statistics & Data Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 52(1), pages 483-501, September.
    2. Carolin Strobl & Julia Kopf & Achim Zeileis, 2015. "Rasch Trees: A New Method for Detecting Differential Item Functioning in the Rasch Model," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 80(2), pages 289-316, June.
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    4. Gerhard Tutz & Gunther Schauberger, 2015. "A Penalty Approach to Differential Item Functioning in Rasch Models," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 80(1), pages 21-43, March.
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    7. Nambury Raju, 1988. "The area between two item characteristic curves," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 53(4), pages 495-502, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Chen, Yunxiao & Li, Chengcheng & Ouyang, Jing & Xu, Gongjun, 2023. "DIF statistical inference without knowing anchoring items," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 119923, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Ke-Hai Yuan & Hongyun Liu & Yuting Han, 2021. "Differential Item Functioning Analysis Without A Priori Information on Anchor Items: QQ Plots and Graphical Test," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 86(2), pages 345-377, June.

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