Abstract
Formulas for computing the exact signed and unsigned areas between two item characteristic curves (ICCs) are presented. It is further shown that when thec parameters are unequal, the area between two ICCs is infinite. The significance of the exact area measures for item bias research is discussed.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Bock, R. D., & Aitkin, M. (1981). Marginal maximum likelihood estimation of item parameters: An application of an EM algorithm.Psychometrika, 46, 443–459.
Hambleton, R. K., & Swaminathan, H. (1985).Item response theory: Principles and applications. Boston, MA: Kluwer.Nijhoff.
Ironson, G. H., & Subkoviak, M. J. (1979). A comparison of several methods of assessing bias.Journal of Educational Measurement, 16, 209–225.
Linn, R. L., Levine, M. V., Hastings, C. N., & Wardrop, J. L. (1981). An investigation of item bias in a test of reading comprehension.Applied Psychological Measurement, 5, 159–173.
Lord, F. M. (1980).Applications of item response theory to practical testing problems. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Oosterloo, S. (1984). Confidence intervals for test information and relative efficiency,Statistica Neerlandica, 38, 37–54.
Rudner, L. M., Geston, P. R., & Knight, D. L. (1980a). Biased item detection techniques.Journal of Educational Statistics, 5, 213–233.
Rudner, L. M., Geston, P. R., & Knight, D. L. (1980b). A Monte Carlo comparison of seven biased item detection techniques.Journal of Educational Measurement, 17, 1–10.
Shepard, L. A. Camilli, G., & Averill, M. (1981). Comparison of procedures for detecting test-item bias with internal and external ability criteria.Journal of Educational Statistics, 6, 317–375.
Shepard, L. A., Camilli, G., & Williams, D. M. (1984). Accounting for statistical artifacts in item bias research.Journal of Educational Statistics, 9, 93–128.
Wright, B. D., & Stone, M. H. (1979).Best test design. Chicago, IL: Mesa.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The author expresses his appreciation to Jeffrey A. Slinde, Stephen Steinhaus, Audrey Qualls-Payne, Ivo Molenaar, and two anonymous reviewers for their very helpful and constructive comments.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Raju, N.S. The area between two item characteristic curves. Psychometrika 53, 495–502 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02294403
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02294403