An item response theory for personality and attitude scales: Item analysis using restricted factor analysis

摘要

This paper describes the applicability of item responsetheory to attitude scale development and providesan illustration derived from a study of the propensitytoward jealousy in romantic relationships. Theitem analysis model used is identical to the factoranalysis model, so factor analytic criteria are used toevaluate the scale. These criteria may be used to decidewhether the scale may be scored as a measure ofa single variable and whether a simple sum or aweighted sum of the item responses serves as an optimaltest score. Estimates of the reliability of the scalebased on the item response model are also described.