Exploring Aberrant Responses Using Person Fit and Person Response Functions

• In Event: Evaulating and Exploring the Nuances of Item and Person Fit

Abstract

Person fit statistics alone do not provide unequivocal interpretations of response patterns. The purpose of this study is to explore the nuances of person fit using person response functions (PRF) to supplement the examination of aberrant response patterns. Sixty-three multiple choice items were administered to a selected sample of persons who were expected to use only guessing strategies to answer the items. After answering each item, the participants provided qualitative information regarding how they responded to each item. Preliminary analyses show poor model-data fit as expected, but the shapes of the PRF suggest that this method can provide additional information regarding fit to a model beyond what can be ascertained by a fit statistic alone.

Authors

• Angela Adrienne Walker, Emory University

• George Engelhard, University of Georgia

• Kenneth Royal, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Mari-Wells Hedgpeth, North Carolina State University