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A Pearson-Type-VII Item Response Model for Assessing Person Fluctuation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2025

Pere J. Ferrando*
Affiliation:
‘Rovira i Virgili’ University
*
Requests for reprints should be sent to Pere Joan Ferrando, Universidad 'Rovira i Virgili,' Facultad de Psicologia, Carretera Valls s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Spain. E-mail: perejoan.ferrando@urv.net

Abstract

Using Lumsden’s Thurstonian fluctuation model as a starting point, this paper attempts to develop a unidimensional item response theory model intended for binary personality items. Under some additional assumptions, a new model is obtained in which the item characteristic curves are defined by a cumulative Pearson-Type-VII distribution, and the person response curves are two-parameter normal ogives. Procedures for fitting the new model are proposed. Furthermore, the relations between individual fluctuation and scalability are discussed, and a scalability index based on the new model is proposed. All the developments in this paper are illustrated using two empirical examples.

Information

Type
Original Paper
Copyright
Copyright © 2007 The Psychometric Society

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