01517nas a2200121 4500008003900000245015300039210006900192300001200261490000700273520103700280100002501317856005301342 2007 d00aEstimating the Standard Error of the Maximum Likelihood Ability Estimator in Adaptive Testing Using the Posterior-Weighted Test Information Function0 aEstimating the Standard Error of the Maximum Likelihood Ability a958-9750 v673 a
The standard error of the maximum likelihood ability estimator is commonly estimated by evaluating the test information function at an examinee's current maximum likelihood estimate (a point estimate) of ability. Because the test information function evaluated at the point estimate may differ from the test information function evaluated at an examinee's true ability value, the estimated standard error may be biased under certain conditions. This is of particular concern in adaptive testing because the height of the test information function is expected to be higher at the current estimate of ability than at the actual value of ability. This article proposes using the posterior-weighted test information function in computing the standard error of the maximum likelihood ability estimator for adaptive test sessions. A simulation study showed that the proposed approach provides standard error estimates that are less biased and more efficient than those provided by the traditional point estimate approach.
1 aPenfield, Randall, D uhttp://epm.sagepub.com/content/67/6/958.abstract