Item Response Theory

[La Lioness Priyanka]

Poll question: Item Response Theory

[Odin2005]

1. LOL, WUT?

[Kali]

2. went with tedious

as the google gave me this preliminary bit for wikipedia:

"In psychometrics, item response theory (IRT) also known as latent trait theory, strong true score theory, or modern mental test theory, is a paradigm for the design ...
Overview - The item response function - IRT models - Analysis of model fit"

but throw in a touch of WTF? or rather just a desire for a brief explanation because I have a natural curiosity and am clueless as to what Item Response Theory is.

[MiddleFingerMom]

3. I Googled it, too... and it looks like post-grad material that needs far too much...

.
.
.
... background knowledge for the general populace.
.
.
.
Plus, you know... it's math stuff.
.
.
.
Which, at least while driving... is MUCH more dangerous than texting or applying makeup.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

[Kali]

4. one of the things I really like about the watershed group I participate with

is the ability of our executive director to get academics to come give presentations to us rubes. It is so good for both groups to be exposed to and forced to communicate.

The scientists need to realize that a lot of their work has real ramifications for every-day human beings and in turn the locals need to be taught the science behind the work that goes into some of the decisions that get made.

Mary is very good at setting up these meetings and guiding them along so that it stays interesting for everybody. It eliminates some of the paranoia, intentional ignorance and reverse intellectualism that is so prevalent these days AND cuts off the isolation and arrogance that academics can develop for regular people.

[MiddleFingerMom]

5. I worked for a while as an environmental lobbyist in D.C. and one of the BEST parts of my job...

.
.
.
... involved working directly with Chesapeake Bay Watermen (fishermen, oyster harvesters, etc).
.
.
.
MANY of these guys had dropped out of school to work on Dad's boat -- sometimes out of
GRADE school -- yet they were some of the most erudite, well-spoken individuals when it
came to their particular field of interest that I've ever known.
.
.
.
It was a pleasure to work with regular guys who had no antipathy nor contempt for the
more didactically intense areas of their occupation.
.
.
.
Wish I could say I found a corresponding attitude about the "unwashed masses" from way
too large a percentage of the "intelligentia".
.
.
.
Not a great percentage -- but still way too large.
.
.
.

[Deep13]

6. 45 nt

[MiddleFingerMom]

8. SURE, you solved the equation... but you just rear-ended the Prius in front of you, Einstein!!! n/t

[Deep13]

13. Damn.

I pulled over to do the math, but I guess I did not see the Prius driver did the same thing.

[Chan790]

11. 45.

2x=(360/4)
2x=(90)
x=45

That's not hard...I did it reflexively in my head automatically. I might not be able to grasp calculus but I can do the hell out of pre-algebra. I can do it while driving...if I drove.

[rurallib]

12. do those come in rebus type puzzles also?

I hate rebus puzzles.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

10. items response theory is a test theory

that models how much latent trait a person has, and the probability they have of picking a particular response

[Tuesday Afternoon]

14. but, as opposed to classical . . .

is it any better?

seems both would have their usefulness,

while one may be more tedious than the other.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

15. yes. person parameters and item parameters are invariant in IRT

which gives it a lot of advantage over classical test theory

[Tuesday Afternoon]

16. ok. that tells me how to vote. thanks.

[Deep13]

7. I got nothing. Sorry. nt

[frogmarch]

9. I thought you meant

buyer feedback. I like giving buyer feedback.