Work

A Multilevel Bayesian Item Response Theory Method for Scaling Socioeconomic Status in International Studies of Education

Year: 2006

Type: article

Abstract: A new method is presented and implemented for deriving a scale of socioeconomic status (SES) from international survey data using a multilevel Bayesian item response theory (IRT) model. The proposed model incorporates both international anchor items and nation-specific items and is able to (a) produce student family SES scores that are internationally comparable, (b) reduce the influence of irrelevant national differences in culture on the SES scores, and (c) effectively and efficiently deal with the problem of missing data in a manner similar to Rubin’s (1987) multiple imputation approach. The results suggest that this model is superior to conventional models in terms of its fit to the data and its ability to use information collected via international surveys.

Source: Journal of Educational and Behavioral Statistics

DOI: 10.3102/10769986031001063

Author: Henry May

Institution: University of Pennsylvania

Language: English

Topic: Psychometric Methodologies and Testing

Subfield: Management Science and Operations Research

Field: Decision Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green