IRT Software for Health Outcomes and Behavioral Cancer Research

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Health and behavioral cancer researchers require highly reliable, objective, and methodologically founded measurement instruments, accurate scaling of subjects on important health-related attributes, and statistically sound procedures for evaluating differences among groups (such as treatment vs control) and change across time. Item response theory (IRT) provides a powerful modeling framework for achieving these goals via the measurement of latent attributes that are on ly indirectly measured by observable data. Unfortunately, there is a massive lack of user-friendly IRT software that allows for a straightforward computation of a variety of IRT models in daily research applications. The aim of this project is the developm ent of flexible, user-friendly IRT software especially suited for researchers in the health sciences. This software will run on multiple platforms and cover a broad spectrum of IRT models such as classical binary models (Rasch, 1-PL, 2-PL, 3-PL), classical polytomous models (GRM, RSM, PCM, NRM), as well as up-to-date approaches such as models with covariates (mixed-effects models) and multidimensional models that are highly relevant for health related research questions. The generalized models enable analys is of longitudinal and multilevel data, as well as examination of treatment group effects on a scale. Multidimensional models overcome the sometimes rather restrictive assumptions that require analysis of only one attribute at a time. From a technical poin t of view, the program will offer numerous statistical estimation approaches for item and person parameters such as MML, nonparametric MML, fully nonparametric models, MCMC, Bayesian EAP, weighted likelihood, etc. Once the parameters are estimated, a resea rcher can evaluate the model by means of a large set of model tests and fit indices. Numerous interactive high- level plots will allow for a customizable visualization of the results, and an XML export will assure that tables and figures are publication qu ality. A special emphasis in terms of user-friendliness is the use of a JAVA based graphical user interface (GUI) that will be consistent across a variety of computing platforms. Throughout the IRT modeling workflow, a researcher will be supported by conte xt-sensitive dialog boxes. Experienced IRT scholars will have the option to refine their models using an intuitive IRT command language. The software package will be supported by a comprehensive online platform (Wiki) including technical explanations, a us er's guide, model and data examples, a news section, a discussion board, a FAQ section, and other features. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Modern IRT measurement techniques by means of a user-friendly IRT software lead to a reliable and objective construction o f health scales, to shorter adaptive or fixed scales for measuring more in a less amount of time, to a finer understanding of change in epidemiology studies and clinical trials, and to a sensitive examination of cross-cultural differences in trait structur e and response sets. This software vastly improves the understanding of public health and quality of life.