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Small-Sample DIF Estimation Using Log-Linear Smoothing: A SIBTEST Application DIF SIBTEST

Author(s):
Puhan, Gautam; Moses, Tim P.; Yu, Lei; Dorans, Neil J.
Publication Year:
2007
Report Number:
RR-07-10
Source:
ETS Research Report
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
35
Subject/Key Words:
Differential Item Functioning (DIF), Loglinear Smoothing, Simultaneous Item Bias Test (SIBTEST), Population Subgroups, Racial Differences

Abstract

Root-mean-squared deviation and bias were used to evaluate the accuracy of DIF detection in the smoothed versus raw data conditions. Results indicate that, for most studied items, smoothing the raw score distributions reduced variability and bias of the DIF estimates especially, in the small-sample-size conditions. Implications of these results for actual testing programs and future directions for research are discussed.

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