Poster #33 - Dealing With Omitted Variable Bias in Differential Item Functioning Assessment: A Propensity Score Matching Approach

• In Event: 21.063 - MTCC Poster Session Three
  In Poster Session: 21.063-3 - Differential Item Functioning and Measurement Invariance

Abstract

The effect of omitted variable bias (OVB) has long been ignored within the context of differential item functioning (DIF) assessment. Consequently, the estimation of DIF effects may not be unbiased, resulting in inflated Type I error rates and/or deflated power rates in DIF assessment. To overcome these problems, the study employed the propensity score matching (PSM) to account for the effect of the confounding variable. According to the simulation study, the results indicated that the PSM can well control Type I error rates under all conditions, while the original method lost control when confounding variables exhibited DIF. The PSM appears promising for helping test practitioners deal with OVB in DIF assessment.

Authors

• Hsiu-Yi Chao, National Taiwan University

• Chi-Chen Chen, Institute of Education - National Sun Yat-sen University

• Jyun-Hong Chen, Soochow University