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A Unified Approach to Linear Equating for the Non-Equivalent Groups Design NEAT

Author(s):
von Davier, Alina A.; Kong, Nan
Publication Year:
2003
Report Number:
RR-03-31
Source:
ETS Research Report
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
40
Subject/Key Words:
Delta Method, Standard Error of Equating, Chain Linear Equating, Levine Observed-Score Equating, Test Equating, Tucker Equating, Non-Equivalent-Groups Anchor Test (NEAT) Design

Abstract

This paper describes a new, unified framework for linear equating in a Non-Equivalent Groups Anchor Test (NEAT) design. We focus on three methods for linear equating in the NEAT design--Tucker, Levine observed-score, and chain--and develop a common parameterization that allows us to show that each particular equating method is a special case of the linear equating function in the NEAT design. We use a new concept, the Method Function, to distinguish among the linear equating functions, in general, and among the three equating methods, in particular. This approach leads to a general formula for the standard error of equating for all equating functions in the NEAT design. We also present a new tool, the standard error of equating difference, to investigate if the observed difference in the equating functions is statistically significant.

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