A Second-Order Longitudinal Model for Binary Outcomes: Item Response Theory Versus Structural Equation Modeling

作者：Wang Chun^*; Kohli Nidhi; Henn Lisa

来源：Structural Equation Modeling, 2016, 23(3): 455-465.

DOI：10.1080/10705511.2015.1096744

• binary outcomes
• item response theory
• structural equation modeling
• longitudinal

Measuring academic growth, or change in aptitude, relies on longitudinal data collected across multiple measurements. The National Educational Longitudinal Study (NELS:88) is among the earliest, large-scale, educational surveys tracking students' performance on cognitive batteries over 3 years. Notable features of the NELS:88 data set, and of almost all repeated measures educational assessments, are (a) the outcome variables are binary or at least categorical in nature; and (b) a set of different items is given at each measurement occasion with a few anchor items to fix the measurement scale. This study focuses on the challenges related to specifying and fitting a second-order longitudinal model for binary outcomes, within both the item response theory and structural equation modeling frameworks. The distinctions between and commonalities shared between these two frameworks are discussed. A real data analysis using the NELS:88 data set is presented for illustration purposes.

• 出版日期2016-5-3