Noise and Random Error

Question: In Rasch analysis, how does noise differ from random error?

Answer: Every observation is conceptualized to consist of three components:

1. Its expected value. This is the amount predicted from the Rasch model and the parameter estimates (ability, difficulty and rating scale structure).

2. Model randomness or modeled random error. This is the randomness in the data predicted by the Rasch model, which is a probabilistic model. It is the Bernoulli binomial variance or multinomial variance, "the model variance of the observation around its expectation". The Rasch model uses this for estimating the distance between the parameter estimates, the Rasch measures.

3. Unmodeled randomness. This is the part of each observation that contradicts the Rasch model. It makes the mean-square statistics depart from 1.0. We don't want this randomness because it degrades measurement. From the perspective of the Rasch model, this component is random, i.e., unpredictable, but it may be highly predictable from other perspectives, e.g., "Robin has a response set."

Statistically, "noise" is "2.+3.", but often we use "noise" to mean "3." or even "2.". If there is obvious ambiguity, we use terms like "modeled randomness" for "2.", and "unmodeled noise" for "3.".

There is the paradoxical situation that some of the "3. Unmodeled randomness" can cancel out some of the "2. Model randomness" This happens when the data overfit the model, and the mean-squares are less than 1.0. So sometimes, "noise" only refers to the part of "3. Unmodeled randomness" that adds to the model randomness in the observations.


Noise and Random Error … Rasch Measurement Transactions, 2007, 21:2 p. 1103



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

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