Investigating Intersectionality and Interactions in Differential Item Functioning: A Monte Carlo Simulation Study.

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 7:45 am - Gold 4
  In Roundtable Session: Measurement Invariance and Differential Item Functioning in Educational Assessment

Abstract

Differential Item Functioning (DIF) refers to a situation in which individuals from different groups with the same underlying ability level have different probabilities of answering a particular test item correctly. This study aimed to clarify the role and purpose of intersectionality and interaction in DIF studies (I-DIF), and to provide recommendations and guidance on sample size, DIF detection methods and Type I error rates when using I-DIF. The findings of the study showed that intersectionality and interactions are not synonymous terms. Based on simulation results, the I-DIF approach may not be reliable in small samples; however, a minimum sample of at least 500 can detect I-DIF accurately with minimal Type I error rate when the DIF magnitude is large.

Authors

• Winifred Wilberforce, The Ohio State University

• Ann A. O'Connell, Rutgers University

• Beverly J. Vandiver, The Ohio State University

• Jerome V. D'Agostino, The Ohio State University