Confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory: two approaches for exploring measurement invariance.

SP Reise, KF Widaman, RH Pugh�- Psychological bulletin, 1993 - psycnet.apa.org
Psychological bulletin, 1993psycnet.apa.org
Investigated the utility of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and item response theory (IRT)
models for testing the comparability of psychological measurements. Both procedures were
used to investigate whether mood ratings collected in Minnesota and China were
comparable. Several issues were addressed. The 1st issue was that of establishing a
common measurement scale across groups, which involves full or partial measurement
invariance of trait indicators. It is shown that using CFA or IRT models, test items that function�…
Abstract
Investigated the utility of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and item response theory (IRT) models for testing the comparability of psychological measurements. Both procedures were used to investigate whether mood ratings collected in Minnesota and China were comparable. Several issues were addressed. The 1st issue was that of establishing a common measurement scale across groups, which involves full or partial measurement invariance of trait indicators. It is shown that using CFA or IRT models, test items that function differentially as trait indicators across groups need not interfere with comparing examinees on the same trait dimension. Second, the issue of model fit was addressed. It is proposed that person-fit statistics be used to judge the practical fit of IRT models. Finally, topics for future research are suggested.(PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)
American Psychological Association