Psychometrics has recently seen the development of complex measurement models to better represent test and item data. Item Response Theory (IRT), in particular, comprises a set of non-linear latent variable models that appear to have several conceptual and empirical properties that make them more valuable in practice than classical test theory methods. However, IRT-based models typically requir...

PURPOSE To explore the psychometric properties of the Impact of Vision Impairment scale (IVI) by using Rasch analysis. METHODS Three hundred fourteen first-time referrals to low-vision clinics completed the 32-item IVI. The data were Rasch-analyzed with a partial credit model using RUMM2020 software (RUMM Laboratory, Perth, WA, Australia). The overall fit of the model, response scale, individ...

PURPOSE To assess the psychometric properties of the Cataract TyPE Specification (Spec) questionnaire using the Rasch model. SETTING Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, Australia. METHODS The 12-item Cataract TyPE Spec questionnaire was self-administered to patients drawn from the cataract surgery waiting list. The questionnaire and its 5 subscales were assessed for fit to the Rasch model. R...

The serial position effect shows that two interrelated cognitive processes underlie immediate recall of a supraspan word list. The current study used item response theory (IRT) methods to determine whether the serial position effect poses a threat to the construct validity of immediate list recall as a measure of verbal episodic memory. Archival data were obtained from a national sample of 4,21...

BACKGROUND Measurement scales seeking to quantify latent traits like attitudes, are often developed using traditional psychometric approaches. Application of the Rasch unidimensional measurement model may complement or replace these techniques, as the model can be used to construct scales and check their psychometric properties. If data fit the model, then a scale with invariant measurement pro...

BACKGROUND The Personal Care Participation Assessment and Resource Tool (PC-PART) is a 43-item, clinician-administered assessment, designed to identify patients' unmet needs (participation restrictions) in activities of daily living (ADL) required for community life. This information is important for identifying problems that need addressing to enable, for example, discharge from inpatient sett...

BACKGROUND Few studies use modern approaches to develop a quality of life (QOL) questionnaire with acceptable construct validity, especially in Iran. Our main objective was to construct a new validated and uni-dimensional questionnaire, based on WHOQOL-100, using the Rasch analysis. METHODS In a population-based, cross-sectional study in 2007, 500 Tehran residents aged≥18 were randomly sample...

BACKGROUND The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) - 12 was designed as a short questionnaire to assess psychiatric morbidity. Despite the fact that studies have suggested a number of competing multidimensional factor structures, it continues to be largely used as a unidimensional instrument. This may have an impact on the identification of psychiatric morbidity in target populations. The aim of...

Observed associations between depression following myocardial infarction (MI) and adverse cardiac outcomes could be overestimated due to patients' tendency to over report somatic depressive symptoms. This study was aimed to investigate this issue with modern psychometrics, using item response theory (IRT) and person-fit statistics to investigate if the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) measures d...

BACKGROUND The Temperament Evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Auto-questionnaire (TEMPS-A) is a 110-item questionnaire that assesses five affective temperaments. However, a valid shortened version is desired for large-scale investigations to enhance the compliance of respondents. METHODS A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted among 320 psychiatric patients and 61 gene...