Differential Item Functioning (DIF): Current problems and future directions
Journal: International Journal of Language Studies (Vol.5, No. 3)Publication Date: 2011-07-01
Authors : Hossein KARAMI; Mohammad Ali SALMANI NODOUSHAN;
Page : 133-142
Keywords : Bias; Indeterminacy; Ad Hoc Interpretations; Fairness; Validity; DIF;
Abstract
With the rising concerns over the fairness of language tests, Differential Item Functioning (DIF) has been increasingly applied in bias analysis. Despite it widespread use in psychometric circles, however, DIF is facing a number of serious problems. This paper is an attempt to shed some light on a number of the issues involved in DIF analysis. Specifically, the paper is focused on four problems: the inter-method indeterminacy, the intra-method indeterminacy, the ad hoc interpretations, and the impact of DIF on validity. In order to orient the reader, the paper also provides a brief introduction the fundamental concepts in DIF analysis.
Other Latest Articles
- Theses ‘Discussion’ sections: A structural move analysis
- Helping medical students with online videos
- Abstracting science: A corpus-based approach to research article abstracts
- Development and application of an instrument to find out the linguistic background of employees in MNCs
- Comparison of politeness and acceptability perceptions of request strategies between Chinese learners of English and native English speakers
Last modified: 2014-01-27 20:15:05