A SAS Solution to Simulate a Rasch Computerized Adaptive Test

As far as we know, few or any software programs are currently available to simulate adaptive testing. One of them is POSTSIM distributed by Assessment Systems Corporation. This software package is mostly limited by its inability to allow users to modify the program or to add new routines. In fact, scientists exploring the characteristics of adaptive tests usually develop these programs themselves and for themselves. Consequently, the research community's access to them is difficult. Also, when available, they are not versatile, neither is the source code that goes with them in order to favor adaptations.

To palliate this situation and support adaptive testing research, SIMCAT 1.0, a SAS solution, was proposed (Raîche and Blais, 2006c). A preliminary version of this program had been used by Raîche and Blais (2001) to study the sampling distribution of the proficiency level in adaptive testing according to two stopping rules: taking into account the number of administered items and the standard error of the estimated proficiency level. The new version gives access to improvements as regards to the program versatility and to new proficiency level estimation methods. The Rasch dichotomous response model is the one retained.

Expected a posteriori proficiency level estimation method (EAP) is applied to compute estimated provisory and final proficiency level. The new proficiency level estimation methods are all adaptive modifications brought to the EAP method (Raîche and Blais, 2001, 2006b). These methods are all adaptive in the a priori proficiency level estimation, the proficiency level estimation bias correction, the integration interval, or a combination of them. The use of these adaptive EAP estimation methods diminishes considerably the shrinking, and so biasing, effect of the estimated a priori proficiency level encountered when this a priori is fixed at a constant value independently of the previously computed value of the proficiency level.

Another of the program's peculiarity is its feasibility to compare theoretical values of the standard error, skewness, and kurtosis of the estimated proficiency level with the empirical values of these statistics. This according to predetermined sampling distributions of the estimated proficiency level.

The program, a 20 pages manual describing how to use it with a sample of results and the source code are available from by email: raiche.gilles -at- uqam.ca

Gilles Raîche, Université du Québec à Montréal
Jean-Guy Blais, Université de Montréal
Martin Riopel, Université du Québec à Montréal

References
Blais, J.-G. and Raîche, G. (2006a). Features of the estimated sampling distribution of the ability estimate in computerized adaptive testing according to two stopping rules. In M. Garner, G. Engelhard, M. Wilson and W. Fisher (Eds.): Advances in Rasch Measurement. Volume 1. Maple Grove, MN: JAM Press.
Raîche, G. and Blais, J.-G. (2006b). Considerations about expected a posteriori estimation in adaptive testing : adaptive a priori, adaptive correction for bias, and adaptive integration interval. In M. Garner, G. Engelhard, M. Wilson and W. Fisher (Eds.): Advances in Rasch Measurement. Volume 1. Maple Grove, MN: JAM Press.
Raîche, G. and Blais, J.-G. (2006c). SIMCAT 1.0 - A SAS Computer Program for Simulating Computer Adaptive Testing Applied Psychological Measurement. Applied Psychological Measurement, 30(1), 60-61.
Raîche, G., and Blais, J.-G. (2001). [Study of the sampling distribution of the estimated proficiency level in Rasch-based adaptive testing according to two stopping rules]. Mesure et évaluation en éducation 14(2-3), 23-39.


A SAS Solution to Simulate a Rasch Computerized Adaptive Test, Raîche G., Blais J.-G., Riopel M. … Rasch Measurement Transactions, 2006, 20:2 p. 1061



Rasch-Related Resources: Rasch Measurement YouTube Channel
Rasch Measurement Transactions & Rasch Measurement research papers - free An Introduction to the Rasch Model with Examples in R (eRm, etc.), Debelak, Strobl, Zeigenfuse Rasch Measurement Theory Analysis in R, Wind, Hua Applying the Rasch Model in Social Sciences Using R, Lamprianou El modelo métrico de Rasch: Fundamentación, implementación e interpretación de la medida en ciencias sociales (Spanish Edition), Manuel González-Montesinos M.
Rasch Models: Foundations, Recent Developments, and Applications, Fischer & Molenaar Probabilistic Models for Some Intelligence and Attainment Tests, Georg Rasch Rasch Models for Measurement, David Andrich Constructing Measures, Mark Wilson Best Test Design - free, Wright & Stone
Rating Scale Analysis - free, Wright & Masters
Virtual Standard Setting: Setting Cut Scores, Charalambos Kollias Diseño de Mejores Pruebas - free, Spanish Best Test Design A Course in Rasch Measurement Theory, Andrich, Marais Rasch Models in Health, Christensen, Kreiner, Mesba Multivariate and Mixture Distribution Rasch Models, von Davier, Carstensen
Rasch Books and Publications: Winsteps and Facets
Applying the Rasch Model (Winsteps, Facets) 4th Ed., Bond, Yan, Heene Advances in Rasch Analyses in the Human Sciences (Winsteps, Facets) 1st Ed., Boone, Staver Advances in Applications of Rasch Measurement in Science Education, X. Liu & W. J. Boone Rasch Analysis in the Human Sciences (Winsteps) Boone, Staver, Yale Appliquer le modèle de Rasch: Défis et pistes de solution (Winsteps) E. Dionne, S. Béland
Introduction to Many-Facet Rasch Measurement (Facets), Thomas Eckes Rasch Models for Solving Measurement Problems (Facets), George Engelhard, Jr. & Jue Wang Statistical Analyses for Language Testers (Facets), Rita Green Invariant Measurement with Raters and Rating Scales: Rasch Models for Rater-Mediated Assessments (Facets), George Engelhard, Jr. & Stefanie Wind Aplicação do Modelo de Rasch (Português), de Bond, Trevor G., Fox, Christine M
Exploring Rating Scale Functioning for Survey Research (R, Facets), Stefanie Wind Rasch Measurement: Applications, Khine Winsteps Tutorials - free
Facets Tutorials - free
Many-Facet Rasch Measurement (Facets) - free, J.M. Linacre Fairness, Justice and Language Assessment (Winsteps, Facets), McNamara, Knoch, Fan

To be emailed about new material on www.rasch.org
please enter your email address here:

I want to Subscribe: & click below
I want to Unsubscribe: & click below

Please set your SPAM filter to accept emails from Rasch.org

www.rasch.org welcomes your comments:

Your email address (if you want us to reply):

 

ForumRasch Measurement Forum to discuss any Rasch-related topic

Go to Top of Page
Go to index of all Rasch Measurement Transactions
AERA members: Join the Rasch Measurement SIG and receive the printed version of RMT
Some back issues of RMT are available as bound volumes
Subscribe to Journal of Applied Measurement

Go to Institute for Objective Measurement Home Page. The Rasch Measurement SIG (AERA) thanks the Institute for Objective Measurement for inviting the publication of Rasch Measurement Transactions on the Institute's website, www.rasch.org.

Coming Rasch-related Events
Oct. 4 - Nov. 8, 2024, Fri.-Fri. On-line workshop: Rasch Measurement - Core Topics (E. Smith, Winsteps), www.statistics.com
Jan. 17 - Feb. 21, 2025, Fri.-Fri. On-line workshop: Rasch Measurement - Core Topics (E. Smith, Winsteps), www.statistics.com
May 16 - June 20, 2025, Fri.-Fri. On-line workshop: Rasch Measurement - Core Topics (E. Smith, Winsteps), www.statistics.com
June 20 - July 18, 2025, Fri.-Fri. On-line workshop: Rasch Measurement - Further Topics (E. Smith, Facets), www.statistics.com
Oct. 3 - Nov. 7, 2025, Fri.-Fri. On-line workshop: Rasch Measurement - Core Topics (E. Smith, Winsteps), www.statistics.com

 

The URL of this page is www.rasch.org/rmt/rmt202g.htm

Website: www.rasch.org/rmt/contents.htm