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. 2000 Sep;38(9 Suppl):II28-42.
doi: 10.1097/00005650-200009002-00007.

Item response theory and health outcomes measurement in the 21st century

R D Hays  1 , L S Morales, S P Reise
Affiliations

Item response theory and health outcomes measurement in the 21st century

R D Hays et al. Med Care. 2000 Sep.

Abstract

Item response theory (IRT) has a number of potential advantages over classical test theory in assessing self-reported health outcomes. IRT models yield invariant item and latent trait estimates (within a linear transformation), standard errors conditional on trait level, and trait estimates anchored to item content. IRT also facilitates evaluation of differential item functioning, inclusion of items with different response formats in the same scale, and assessment of person fit and is ideally suited for implementing computer adaptive testing. Finally, IRT methods can be helpful in developing better health outcome measures and in assessing change over time. These issues are reviewed, along with a discussion of some of the methodological and practical challenges in applying IRT methods.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Item characteristic curves for 3 dichotomous items.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Item information functions for 3 polytomous items: 3-PL model.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Physical functioning items in HCSUS. R indicates respondent.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

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