Sample interview questions: Can you explain the process of differential item functioning (DIF) analysis and its implications for assessment fairness?
Sample answer:
- DIF Analysis Process:
- Data Collection: Collect data from a diverse group of individuals representing various demographic characteristics.
- Item Selection: Select items suspected of exhibiting DIF based on theoretical considerations or exploratory analyses.
- DIF Detection Methods: Use statistical methods to detect DIF. Common methods include:
- Mantel-Haenszel method
- Logistic regression method
- Item response theory (IRT) based methods
- Latent class analysis (LCA) method
- DIF Interpretation: Interpret the DIF results to understand the direction and magnitude of DIF.
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DIF Reporting: Report DIF findings in a clear and concise manner, including effect sizes and statistical significance levels.
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Implications for Assessment Fairness:
- Bias Identification: DIF analysis helps identify items that may be biased against certain groups, leading to unfair assessment outcomes.
- Fairness Adjustments: DIF analysis results can inform adjustments to test items or scoring procedures to promote fairness.
- Validity Enhancement: Addressing DIF issues enhances the validity of an assessment by ensuring that the results accurately reflect individu… Read full answer