Detection of Differential Item Functioning Using the Mean and Covariance Structure Analysis Model
GU Hai-gen · Xinli fazhan yu jiaoyu · 2009
The article clarifies the principle and procedure of detection of uniform and non-uniform differential item functioning(DIF) on polytomous ordered response item using multiple-group mean and covariance structure analysis(MACS) model,gives a demonstration that how the procedure is applied to moral self-concept scale for detection of DIF,and evaluates the method.Compared with item response theory,MACS concerns the systematic and iterative use of modification indices to detect DIF and gives multiple fit indices to assess model fit jointly.And compared with the standard confirmatory factor analysis,MACS allows the detection of not only non-uniform DIF but also uniform DIF.It is recommendable to detect DIF using MACS.