Full-Information Item Bifactor Analysis of Graded Response Data

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Full-Information Item Bifactor Analysis of Graded Response Data
Language: English
Authors: Gibbons, Robert D., Bock, R. Darrell, Hedeker, Donald, Weiss, David J., Segawa, Eisuke, Bhaumik, Dulal K., Kupfer, David J., Frank, Ellen, Grochocinski, Victoria J., Stover, Angela
Source: Applied Psychological Measurement. 2007 31(1):4-19.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2007
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Descriptors: Factor Analysis, Item Response Theory, Computation, Factor Structure, Rating Scales, Models, Quality of Life, Maximum Likelihood Statistics
DOI: 10.1177/0146621606289485
ISSN: 0146-6216
Abstract: A plausible factorial structure for many types of psychological and educational tests exhibits a general factor and one or more group or method factors. This structure can be represented by a bifactor model. The bifactor structure results from the constraint that each item has a nonzero loading on the primary dimension and, at most, one of the group factors. The authors develop estimation procedures for fitting the graded response model when the data follow the bifactor structure. Using maximum marginal likelihood estimation of item parameters, the bifactor restriction leads to a major simplification of the likelihood equations and (a) permits analysis of models with large numbers of group factors, (b) permits conditional dependence within identified subsets of items, and (c) provides more parsimonious factor solutions than an unrestricted full-information item factor analysis in some cases. Analysis of data obtained from 586 chronically mentally ill patients revealed a clear bifactor structure. (Contains 4 tables.)
Abstractor: Author
Number of References: 30
Entry Date: 2006
Accession Number: EJ747188
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:A plausible factorial structure for many types of psychological and educational tests exhibits a general factor and one or more group or method factors. This structure can be represented by a bifactor model. The bifactor structure results from the constraint that each item has a nonzero loading on the primary dimension and, at most, one of the group factors. The authors develop estimation procedures for fitting the graded response model when the data follow the bifactor structure. Using maximum marginal likelihood estimation of item parameters, the bifactor restriction leads to a major simplification of the likelihood equations and (a) permits analysis of models with large numbers of group factors, (b) permits conditional dependence within identified subsets of items, and (c) provides more parsimonious factor solutions than an unrestricted full-information item factor analysis in some cases. Analysis of data obtained from 586 chronically mentally ill patients revealed a clear bifactor structure. (Contains 4 tables.)
ISSN:0146-6216
DOI:10.1177/0146621606289485