Skip to main content
Log in

A multidimensional item response model: Constrained latent class analysis using the gibbs sampler and posterior predictive checks

  • Published:
Psychometrika Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper it will be shown that a certain class of constrained latent class models may be interpreted as a special case of nonparametric multidimensional item response models. The parameters of this latent class model will be estimated using an application of the Gibbs sampler. It will be illustrated that the Gibbs sampler is an excellent tool if inequality constraints have to be taken into consideration when making inferences. Model fit will be investigated using posterior predictive checks. Checks for manifest monotonicity, the agreement between the observed and expected conditional association structure, marginal local homogeneity, and the number of latent classes will be presented.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Albert, J. H. (1992). Bayesian estimation of normal ogive item response curves using Gibbs sampling.Journal of Educational Statistics, 17, 251–269.

    Google Scholar 

  • Casella, G., & George, E. (1992). Explaining the Gibbs sampler.American Statistican, 46, 167–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Croon, M. A. (1990). Latent class analysis with ordered latent classes.British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology, 43, 171–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Croon, M. A. (1991). Investigating Mokken scalability of dichotomous items by means of ordinal latent class analysis.British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology, 44, 315–331.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, J. L., & van den Wollenberg, A. L. (1993). Local homogeneity in latent trait models. A characterization of the homogeneous monotone IRT model.Psychometrika, 58, 417–429.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gelfand, A. E., Hills, S. E., Racine-Poon, A., & Smith, A. F. M. (1990). Illustration of Bayesian inference in normal data models using Gibbs sampling.Journal of the American Statistical Association, 85, 972–985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gelfand, A. E., & Smith, A. F. M. (1990). Sampling-based approaches to calculating marginal densities.Journal of the American Statistical Association, 85, 398–409.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gelman, A., Carlin, J. B., Stern, H. S., & Rubin, D. B. (1995).Bayesian Data Analysis. London: Chapman and Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gelman, A., Meng, X., & Stern, H. S. (in press). Posterior predictive assessment of model fitness via realized discrepancies (with discussion).Statistica Sinica. to appear.

  • Gelman, A., & Rubin, D. B. (1992). Inference from iterative simulation using multiple sequences.Statistical Science, 7, 457–511.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grayson, D. A. (1988). Two-group classification in latent trait theory: scores with monotone likelihood ratio.Psychometrika, 53, 383–392.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holland, P. W. (1981). When are item response models consistent with observed data.Psychometrika, 46, 79–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holland, P. W., & Rosenbaum, P. R. (1986). Conditional association and unidimensionality in monotone latent variable models.The Annals of Statistics, 14, 1523–1543.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holm, S. (1979). A simple sequentially rejective multiple test procedure.Scandinavian Journal of Statistics, 6, 65–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Junker, B. W. (1991). Essential independence and likelihood-based ability estimation for polytomous items.Psychometrika, 56, 255–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Junker, B. W. (1993). Conditional association, essential independence and monotone unidimensional item response models.The Annals of Statistics, 3, 1359–1378.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindsay, B., Clogg, C. C., & Grego, J. (1991). Semiparametric estimation in the Rasch model and related exponential response models, including a simple latent class model for item analysis.Journal of the American Statistical Association, 86, 96–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lord, F. M., & Novick, M. R. (1968).Statistical theory of mental test scores. London: Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacEachern, S. N., & Berliner, L. M. (1994). Subsampling the Gibbs sampler.The American Statistician, 48, 188–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meng, X. L. (1994). Posterior Predictivep-Values.The Annals of Statistics, 22, 1142–1160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mokken, R. J. (1971).A theory and procedure of scale analysis. The Hague/Berlin: Mouton/DeGruyler.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mokken, R. J., and, Lewis, C. (1982). A nonparametric approach to the analysis of dichotomous item responses.Applied Psychological Measurement, 6, 417–430.

    Google Scholar 

  • Molenaar, I. W. (1996). Nonparametric models for polytomous responses. In W. J. van der Linden, & R. K. Hambleton (Eds.),Handbook of Modern Item Response Theory (pp. 361–372). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Molenaar, I. W., Debets, P., Sijtsma, K., & Hemker, B. T. (1994).User's Manual MSP. Groningen: IecProgamma.

    Google Scholar 

  • NAG (1992). Foundation library. Oxford: The Numerical Algorithms Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Narayanan, A. (1990). Computer generation of Dirichlet random vectors.Journal of Statistical Computations and Simulations, 36, 19–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ripley, B. D. (1987).Stochastic Simulation. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenbaum, P. R. (1984). Testing the conditional independence and monotonicity assumptions of item response theory.Psychometrika, 49, 425–435.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubin, D. B. (1984). Bayesian justifiable and relevant frequency calculations for the applied statistician.The Annals of Statistics, 12, 1151–1172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubin, D. B., & Stern, H. L. (1993). Testing in latent class models using a posterior predictive check distribution. In A. von Eye & C. Clogg (Eds.),Latent variables Analysis. Applications for Developmental Research. London: SAGE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, K, & Hoijtink, H. (1992). Androgynie bestaat (Persons who are both psychologically masculine and feminine exist).Nederlands Tijdschrift voor de Psychologie, 47, 123–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, J. P. (1994). Multiple hypothesis testing: A review. (Tech. Rep. No. 23). Research Triangle Park, NC: National Institute of Statistical Sciences.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shealy, R., & Stout, W. (1993). A model based standardization approach that separates true bias/DIF from group ability differences and detects test bias/DTF as well as item bias/DIF.Psychometrika, 58, 159–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sijtsma, K., & Molenaar, I. W. (1987). Reliability of test scores in nonparametric item response theory.Psychometrika, 52, 79–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, A. F. M., & Roberts, G. O. (1993). Bayesian computation via the Gibbs sampler and related Markov chain Monte Carlo methods.Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Series B, 55, 2–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stout, W. (1987). A nonparametric approach for assessing the latent trait dimensionality.Psychometrika, 52, 589–618.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stout, W. F. (1990). A new item response theory modelling approach with applications to unidimensionality assessment and ability estimation.Psychometrika, 55, 293–326.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanner, M. A. (1993).Tools for statistical inference, methods for the explorations of posterior distributions and likelihood functions. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tierney, L. (1994). Markov chains for exploring posterior distributions (with discussion).Annals of Statistics, 22, 1701–1762.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thissen, D., Steinberg, L., & Wainer, H. (1988). Use of item response theory in the study of group differences in trace lines. In H. Wainer, & H. I. Braun (Eds.).Test validity (pp. 147–169). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeger, S. L., and Karim, M. R. (1991). Generalized linear models with random effect; a Gibbs sampling approach.Journal of the American statistical association, 86, 79–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zellner, A., & Min, C. (1995). Gibbs sampler convergence criteria.Journal of the American Statistical Association, 90, 921–927.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

This paper is supported by grant S40-645 of the Dutch Organization for Scientific Research (NWO).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hojtink, H., Molenaar, I.W. A multidimensional item response model: Constrained latent class analysis using the gibbs sampler and posterior predictive checks. Psychometrika 62, 171–189 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02295273

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02295273

Key words

Navigation