IRTGUI: An R Package for Unidimensional Item Response Theory Analysis With a Graphical User Interface

Area of Science:

• Psychometrics
• Educational Measurement
• Statistical Software

Background:

• Numerous R packages exist for item response theory (IRT) analysis.
• Researchers and practitioners often face challenges due to insufficient coding skills.
• A need exists for accessible IRT analysis tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the IRTGUI package, a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) for conducting unidimensional IRT analysis.
• To provide researchers with a no-coding solution for essential IRT procedures.
• To facilitate the application of IRT in research and practice.

Main Methods:

• Development of the IRTGUI package in R.
• Implementation of functions for parameter estimation (person and item).
• Inclusion of model and item fit indices calculation.
• Integration of tools for testing dimensionality and local independence assumptions.
• Features for generating dichotomous data sets.
• Graphical display capabilities for Wright Maps, item characteristic curves, and information curves.

Main Results:

• The IRTGUI package successfully provides a GUI for unidimensional IRT analysis.
• Users can obtain person and item parameters, model and item fit indices without programming.
• Dimensionality and local independence can be assessed.
• Dichotomous data generation with customizable conditions is supported.
• Visualizations such as Wright Maps and various curves are readily available.
• All analysis outputs are easily downloadable.

Conclusions:

• The IRTGUI package democratizes IRT analysis by removing coding barriers.
• It empowers researchers and practitioners to conduct sophisticated psychometric analyses.
• The package enhances the accessibility and application of IRT methodologies.