Constructing and Evaluating Measures: Applications of the Rasch Model

A brief introduction Rasch measurement is potentially relevant whenever an assessment or questionnaire is constructed to measure the degree of some property inherent in persons or other entities. The Rasch model is a one-parameter logistic model within item response theory (IRT) in which the amount of a given latent trait in a person and the amount of that same latent trait reflected in various items can be estimated independently yet still compared explicitly to one another.

Why the Rasch model? The Rasch model is the simplest of IRT models  Many of us are in fields that require us to be effective and efficient. The aim of Rasch measurement is analogous to the construction of a ruler  Many of us are working on creating measures or verifying measures function as we expect.

Objectives To introduce the theory of the Rasch model To demonstrate the utility of the Rasch model To present applications using Winsteps software  available at (free student version) 7 examples will be presented.  Each presenter will take 2 – 3 questions at the end. Concluding the session – We will invite questions, as well as audience reflections and experiences.

The Examples 1)Tacit Knowledge of Superintendents- Chris 2)Traditional Religious Principles and Objectives- Gill 3)AAEE (Teacher Supply and Demand) Survey- Jessica 4)Black University Students’ Perceptions of Marriage- Bill 5)CC Faculty Perceptions of Student Outcomes- Kenny 6)Therapist Characteristics- Jenny 7)Psychological Sense of School Membership Scale- Trent