01442nas a2200145   4500008003900000022001400039245007100053210006900124300001400193490000700207520098500214100002001199700002201219856005501241       2008                          d  a1745-398400aLocal Dependence in an Operational CAT: Diagnosis and Implications0 aLocal Dependence in an Operational CAT Diagnosis and Implication  a201–2230 v453 a<p>The accuracy of CAT scores can be negatively affected by local dependence if the CAT utilizes parameters that are misspecified due to the presence of local dependence and/or fails to control for local dependence in responses during the administration stage. This article evaluates the existence and effect of local dependence in a test of Mathematics Knowledge. Diagnostic tools were first used to evaluate the existence of local dependence in items that were calibrated under a 3PL model. A simulation study was then used to evaluate the effect of local dependence on the precision of examinee CAT scores when the 3PL model was used for selection and scoring. The diagnostic evaluation showed strong evidence for local dependence. The simulation suggested that local dependence in parameters had a minimal effect on CAT score precision, while local dependence in responses had a substantial effect on score precision, depending on the degree of local dependence present.</p>
1 aPommerich, Mary1 aSegall, Daniel, O  uhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-3984.2008.00061.x