Detecting Items With Differential Item Functioning in the Context of Conceptual Change Using Logistic Regression (Poster 3)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 8
  In Poster Session: Assessment and Learning: Review and Applications (San Diego)

Abstract

Refutational texts are considered to be potentially more effective to promote conceptual change than expository texts. This study, first, investigated the effectiveness of both refutational and expository texts on conceptual change. In testing of conceptual change, test scores should be examined for accurate group comparisons, and fairness in score interpretations. Therefore, this study also detected questions in the conceptual change test with differential item functioning (DIF) using a logistic regression (LR) for fairness for both refutational and expository texts groups. We found both refutational, and expository text groups significantly increased their knowledge. The LR showed two questions in the conceptual change test were flagged as DIF, suggesting that those questions treated the individuals who read the expository text unfairly.

Authors

• Onur Ramazan, Chinese University of Hong Kong

• Gan Jin, Washington State University

• Robert William Danielson, Washington State University - Spokane