Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Understanding the Self

Understanding the Self

The self is a central aspect of human identity, encompassing an individual’s beliefs, emotions, perceptions, and experiences. It is a cognitive and psychological construct that enables individuals to interpret their traits and behaviors, influencing how they perceive themselves and interact with the world. While personality consists of stable and enduring characteristics, the self is shaped by self-perception and social experiences. This distinction highlights the dynamic nature of the...

Understanding Self-Concept

Understanding Self-Concept

The self-concept encompasses individuals' beliefs about themselves, structured through cognitive frameworks known as self-schemas. These schemas function as mental representations of specific traits or behaviors, influencing how self-relevant information is perceived, processed, and remembered. For example, individuals who are schematic for body weight are more likely to interpret routine experiences—such as dining out or shopping—through the lens of that trait. Conversely, those...

Understanding Deception

Understanding Deception

Deception is a pervasive aspect of human communication. Empirical studies have shown that most individuals engage in some form of deceit on a daily basis, with approximately 20% of social exchanges involving deceptive elements. Lying follows a developmental trajectory, peaking during adolescence and declining with age, possibly due to the maturation of cognitive control and social accountability.Cognitive and Social Factors in Deception DetectionDespite its prevalence, accurately detecting...

Understanding Love

Understanding Love

Love, as a multifaceted psychological construct, encompasses emotions, cognitive processes, and behavioral patterns that play a crucial role in human relationships. It extends beyond attraction, manifesting in deep, enduring connections that influence personal well-being and social structures.Psychological Dimensions of LoveLove differs from friendship and mere liking through its depth and intensity. While friendship is built on mutual respect, trust, and companionship, love involves emotional...

Understanding Consciousness

Understanding Consciousness

Consciousness can be defined as the state of being aware of and able to think about one's existence, sensations, and surroundings. It encompasses two major components: awareness and arousal. Awareness pertains to the recognition of environmental stimuli and internal states. At the same time, arousal refers to the physiological readiness to engage with these stimuli, which varies significantly between states like sleep and wakefulness.
Sleep, a crucial state, is characterized by reduced...

Understanding Sleep

Understanding Sleep

Sleep, an essential biological state, involves significant reductions in physical activity, sensory awareness, and interaction with the environment. This complex physiological process is primarily regulated by specific brain regions, notably the hypothalamus and pons, which govern the sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm.
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Patient-Physician Concordance for Quantitative Formats and Treatment Options and the Relationship with State Anxiety.

Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education·2021

Same author

Using Differential Item Functioning to Test for Interrater Reliability in Constructed Response Items.

Educational and psychological measurement·2020

Same author

Communication and Shared Decision Making in the Breast Cancer Treatment Consultation: A Comparative Analysis of English- and Spanish-Speaking Patients.

MDM policy & practice·2019

Same author

Examining Parameter Estimation when Treating Semi-Mixed Multidimensional Constructs as Unidimensional.

Journal of applied measurement·2019

Same author

Improving Communication in Breast Cancer Treatment Consultation: Use of a Computer Test of Health Numeracy.

Journal of women's health (2002)·2019

Same author

Tailoring Educational and Behavioral Interventions to Level of Health Literacy: A Systematic Review.

MDM policy & practice·2018

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Author Spotlight: Unlocking New Insights in fNIRS Studies - A Novel Framework for Inter-Brain Synchrony Analysis

Author Spotlight: Unlocking New Insights in fNIRS Studies - A Novel Framework for Inter-Brain Synchrony Analysis

Published on: October 6, 2023

Using a Multidimensional IRT Framework to Better Understand Differential Item Functioning (DIF): A Tale of Three DIF

Cindy M Walker¹, Sakine Gocer Sahin²

¹University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA.

Educational and Psychological Measurement

|May 26, 2018

Summary

Differential item functioning (DIF) occurs in multidimensional data when groups differ on secondary abilities. This study shows even small ability differences trigger DIF detection, impacting test fairness.

Keywords:

differential item functioning multidimensional item response theory validity

More Related Videos

Synthesis and Characterization of Functionalized Metal-organic Frameworks

Synthesis and Characterization of Functionalized Metal-organic Frameworks

Published on: September 5, 2014

Analysis of Multidimensional Microscopy Data Using Cell-ACDC

Analysis of Multidimensional Microscopy Data Using Cell-ACDC

Published on: November 7, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Author Spotlight: Unlocking New Insights in fNIRS Studies - A Novel Framework for Inter-Brain Synchrony Analysis

Author Spotlight: Unlocking New Insights in fNIRS Studies - A Novel Framework for Inter-Brain Synchrony Analysis

Published on: October 6, 2023

Synthesis and Characterization of Functionalized Metal-organic Frameworks

Synthesis and Characterization of Functionalized Metal-organic Frameworks

Published on: September 5, 2014

Analysis of Multidimensional Microscopy Data Using Cell-ACDC

Analysis of Multidimensional Microscopy Data Using Cell-ACDC

Published on: November 7, 2025

Area of Science:

Psychometrics
Educational Measurement
Item Response Theory

Background:

Differential item functioning (DIF) is theoretically linked to multidimensionality in assessment data.
Existing research suggests DIF detection thresholds may be influenced by secondary ability distributions.

Purpose of the Study:

To quantify the necessary difference in secondary ability distributions for DIF detection.
To investigate the impact of varying secondary dimension mean differences and inter-dimensional correlations on DIF detection.

Main Methods:

Simulated two-dimensional binary data using a compensatory multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) model.
Systematically varied mean differences on the second dimension between reference and focal groups.
Employed SIBTEST, Mantel-Haenszel, and logistic regression for DIF detection.

Main Results:

DIF was detected even with minimal mean differences on the secondary dimension, smaller than previously considered.
Small mean differences (0.25) on the secondary dimension consistently led to statistically significant subtest score differences between groups.

Conclusions:

The sensitivity of DIF detection procedures is high, identifying bias even with subtle group differences in secondary abilities.
Assessment of secondary dimensions is crucial for ensuring test fairness and accurate interpretation of examinee performance.