ERIC Number: EJ1007351
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Mar
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0146-6216
EISSN: N/A
A Review of DIMPACK Version 1.0: Conditional Covariance-Based Test Dimensionality Analysis Package
Deng, Nina; Han, Kyung T.; Hambleton, Ronald K.
Applied Psychological Measurement, v37 n2 p162-172 Mar 2013
DIMPACK Version 1.0 for assessing test dimensionality based on a nonparametric conditional covariance approach is reviewed. This software was originally distributed by Assessment Systems Corporation and now can be freely accessed online. The software consists of Windows-based interfaces of three components: DIMTEST, DETECT, and CCPROX/HAC, which conduct hypothesis test for unidimensionality, cluster items, and perform hierarchical cluster analysis, respectively. Two simulation studies were conducted to evaluate the software in confirming test unidimensionality (a Type I error study) and detecting multidimensionality (a statistical power study). The results suggested that different data always be used in selecting assessment subtest items independent of calculating the DIMTEST statistic. The Type I error rate was excessively inflated otherwise. The statistical power was found low when sample size was small or the dimensions were highly correlated. It is suggested that some major changes be made to the software before it can be successfully useful among practitioners. (Contains 3 figures.)
Descriptors: Item Response Theory, Nonparametric Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Computer Software, Hypothesis Testing, Multivariate Analysis, Simulation, Computer Software Evaluation
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2814
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A