Item Response Theory

This book describes the most recently developed item response theory (IRT) models and furnishes detailed explanations of algorithms that can be used to estimate the item or ability parameters under various IRT models. Extensively revised and expanded, this edition offers three new chapters discussing parameter estimation with multiple groups, parameter estimation for a test with mixed item types, and Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. It includes discussions on issues related to statistical theory, numerical methods, and the mechanics of computer programs for parameter estimation, which help to build a clear understanding of the computational demands and challenges of IRT estimation procedures.