This book develops an intuitive understanding of item response theory (IRT) principles through the use of graphical displays and analogies to psychological principles. The IRT psychometric method is especially useful to psychologists and other social scientists that are familiar with small scale cognitive and personality measures.

Contents: Preface. Part I: Introduction. Introduction. Part II: Item Response Theory Principles: Some Contrasts and Comparisons. The New Rules of Measurement. Item Response Theory as Model-Based Measurement. Part III: The Fundamentals of Item Response Theory. Binary IRT Models. Polytomous IRT Models. The Trait Level Measurement Scale: Meaning, Interpretations, and Measurement-Scale Properties. Measuring Persons: Scoring Examinees With IRT Models. Calibrating Items: Estimation. Assessing the Fit of IRT Models. Part IV: Applications of IRT Models. IRT Applications: DIF, CAT, and Scale Analysis. IRT Applications in Cognitive and Developmental Assessment. Applications of IRT in Personality and Attitude Assessment. Computer Programs for Conducting IRT Parameter Estimation.