O instrumento PCATool-Brasil (Primary Care Assessment Tool) permite a mensuração da presença e extensão dos atributos estruturantes da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) nos serviços de saúde. É importante que a metodologia para analisar instrumentos como o PCATool-Brasil considere que nem todos os itens que descrevem as características de estrutura e processo têm a mesma importância em relação ao traço latente ―Orientação à APS‖ que pode ser medido por esse instrumento. A Teoria da Resposta ao Item (TRI) é um conjunto de modelos matemáticos que procuram representar a probabilidade de um indivíduo dar uma resposta a um item como função dos parâmetros do item e do traço latente. Estes modelos têm como uma de suas características a incorporação de diferenças de discriminação e favorabilidade, que são os parâmetros de cada item, na estimação do traço latente. Este trabalho tem como objetivo explicitar as potencialidades da TRI na obtenção do traço latente ―Orientação para Atenção Primária‖, para serviços da rede básica, na percepção dos usuários, comparando os resultados com a validação via teoria clássica de testes e propor uma versão reduzida do PCATool-Brasil- Adultos. A partir de uma subamostra do estudo transversal de base populacional de adultos adscritos à rede pública de APS de Porto Alegre, ajustou-se o Modelo Logístico de 2 parâmetros, explorando as características de estrutura e processo que representam os atributos da APS e estimar o traço latente ―Orientação à APS‖. Os resultados desta avaliação revelaram a contribuição baseada na discriminação e favorabilidade de cada um dos itens do PCATool. Alguns itens apresentaram comportamento pouco destacado dado a sua baixa discriminação e elevada variabilidade. Mesmo assim o escore de orientação à APS obtido via TRI se revelou compatível com o escore obtido via Teoria Clássica de Testes. Com base nos itens mais discriminantes do traço latente foi possível estruturar uma versão reduzida do PCATool composta de 23 itens. Foi identificado neste estudo que itens dos atributos Longitudinalidade e Integralidade – Serviços Prestados – são os mais discriminantes para o traço latente. No entanto, há contribuição ao menos moderada dos itens dos outros atributos essenciais e derivados. Esses resultados sustentaram a estruturação de uma versão reduzida do PCATool, que apresentou medidas de consistência interna e concordância indicativos de um bom ajuste e associação com o escore TRI da versão completa, versão esta alinhada à necessidade de avaliar de forma rápida características importantes para a melhoria dos serviços de APS. / The instrument PCATool-Brazil (Primary Care Assessment Tool) allows the measurement of the presence and extent of structural attributes of the Primary Health Care (PHC) in health services. It is important that the methodology for analyzing instruments like PCATool-Brazil consider that not all items that describe the characteristics of structure and process are equally important in relation to the latent trait "Guidance PHC" which can be measured by this instrument. The Item Response Theory (IRT) is a set of mathematical models that seek to represent the probability of an individual to respond to an item as a function of the item parameters and latent trait. These models have as one of its features to incorporate differences in favorability and discrimination, which are the parameters for each item, in the estimation of latent trait. This paper aims to clarify the potential of TRI in obtaining latent trait "Guidance for Primary Care" for basic network services, the users' perception, comparing the results with validation via classical theory testing and propose a reduced version of PCATool-Brazil-Adult. From a subsample of the population-based crosssectional study of adults ascribed to public APS Porto Alegre, set the 2- parameter logistic model, exploring the characteristics of structure and process that represent the attributes of the APS and estimate the trace latent "Guidance to the APS." The results of this evaluation revealed the contribution-based discrimination and favorability of each of the items PCATool. Some items behaved little highlighted given its low discrimination and high variability. Yet the score PHC orientation obtained via IRT proved compatible with the score via Classical Test Theory. Based on the items most discriminant latent trait was possible to structure a reduced version of PCATool composed of 23 items. Was identified in this study that the items attributes and longitudinality Completeness - Services Provided - are the most discriminating for the latent trait. However, there is at least moderate contribution of other essential attributes of items and derivatives. These results supported the structuring of a reduced version of PCATool, which showed internal consistency measures and agreement indicative of a good fit and association with TRI score of the full version, this version aligned to the need to quickly evaluate important features to improve PHC services.

Recentemente desenvolvida, a biotecnologia denominada por Microarrays permite o monitoramento simultâneo dos valores de expressão gênica de centenas de milhares de genes, fator este que traz uma nova interpretação aos resultados obtidos em pesquisas desenvolvidas nas mais diversas áreas do conhecimento incluindo, por exemplo, a Farmacologia e Medicina, uma vez que os resultados obtidos são interpretados ao nível molecular. Contudo, apesar de muita tecnologia ser empregada à técnica de Microarrays, sua aplicação ainda ocasiona algumas complicações decorrentes, por exemplo, das inúmeras fontes de variação existentes, da escala das respostas ou da natural dificuldade de se analisar uma grande quantidade de fragmentos genéticos avaliados sob poucas unidades experimentais. Frente a estas complicações, atualmente, muitas são as propostas metodológicas de análises estatísticas para atenuar ou eliminar os problemas inerentes à técnica de Microarrays e propiciar a extração de resultados mais confiáveis a partir dos valores de expressão gênica, porém muitos desafios ainda persistem. Sob esta colocação, o presente trabalho procurou explorar duas metodologias de análise estatística alternativas no que diz respeito a seus conceitos, embora ambas tenham sido contextualizadas ao problema de Microarrays e aplicadas para se atingir o mesmo objetivo: possibilitar a identificação dos genes diferencialmente expressos sob distintas condições experimentais. A primeira metodologia consistiu da aplicação de Modelos de Análise de Variância de efeitos fixos com a adoção de modificações nas estatísticas de teste, metodologias de correções para múltiplos testes e a construção de gráficos vulcão. Já, a segunda metodologia consistiu da contextualização e aplicação da Teoria da Resposta ao Item TRI aos experimentos de Microarrays, abordagem esta pouco explorada na análise deste tipo de dado, mas a qual possibilita a seleção de genes diferencialmente expressos a partir de uma medida latente estimada para cada gene e a construção de uma escala para as categorias de resposta de expressão gênica. A motivação para este trabalho originou de um experimento de Microarrays com ratos congênicos disponibilizado pelo Laboratório de Cardiologia e Genética Molecular do Instituto do Coração (InCor-USP) cujo objetivo é identificar genes associados à hipertensão. / Recently developed, the biotechnology denominated Microarrays permits a simultaneous monitoring of the gene expression values of hundred thousands of genes; fact that introduces a new interpretation of the results obtained in researches developed in many distinct areas including, for example, Pharmacology and Medicine, once the obtained results are read according to the molecular level. However, despite the fact that much technology is used in the Microarrays technique, its application still causes some implications, for example, the countless sources of existing variance, the scale of answers or the natural difficulty in analyzing a large number of genetic fragments measured by few experimental units. Facing such complications, a lot of methodologies were suggested in order to reduce or eliminate the problems caused by the Microarrays technique and also foster the obtainment of more reliable results from the gene expression values, yet many challenges still persist. Under this perspective, the present work aimed at exploring two alternative methodologies regarding concepts, despite both were contextualized according to the Microarrays problem and applied with the same objective: enabling the identification of the genes differently expressed under different experimental conditions. The first methodology was composed by the application of Analysis of Variance Models of fixed effects with changes in the test statistics, correction methodologies for multiple tests and volcano plot. The second methodology consisted of the contextualization and application of the Item Response Theory IRT towards the Microarrays experiments, being this one not much explored in analysis that use this kind of data, but enabling the selection of genes differently expressed from an estimated latent trait for each gene and the construction of a scale for the categories of gene expression answers. The motivation for the present work came from an experiment of Microarrays with congenic mice made available by the Cardiology and Molecular Genetics Laboratory of the Heart Institute (InCor-USP) that aimed at identifying genes associated with hypertension.

Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-06-06T17:21:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MartaRizzini.pdf: 6184854 bytes, checksum: fac557a55e241c133f0edfe7a67c82c2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-06T17:21:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MartaRizzini.pdf: 6184854 bytes, checksum: fac557a55e241c133f0edfe7a67c82c2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-24 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico do Maranhão (FAPEMA) / Early identification of stress by means of measuring instruments is a simple strategy and low cost to the public sector, but it is necessary to confirm that we are actually measuring what it purports to measure for a specific population, ie, stress in women during pregnancy. The objective of this study is the analysis of two stress measurement instruments in pregnant women in two cities: stressful life events (EVE) and the perceived stress scale (PSS). A crosssectional study was conducted with pregnant women in São Luis/MA and in Ribeirão Preto/SP (BRISA cohort). The construct validity of EVE was done by Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory. The parameters of PSS items were estimated using the Gradual Response Model Samejima based on Item Response Theory (IRT). For analysis of the items Differential Functioning (DIF) were used the likelihood ratio for non-uniform DIF and differences between the weights of the regressions (Δβ1) for uniform DIF. As an estimate of the magnitude of DIF was used Pseudo-R 2 . The model with three factors then called Life Events Causing Stress (LECS) showed a good fit (RMSEA <0.05; IFC / TLI> 0.90) for the two samples. For the PSS only the 10-item scale (PSS 10) presented the prerequisite of unidimensionality. The results showed good variation of the response thresholds (bi) and discrimination (ai) from moderate to high. The analysis found items 9 and 10 with probable DIF in the PSS 10, but there was no significant effect of residence location in the responses to items, suggesting that the answers are not related to any other factor beyond trace latent perceived stress. This study found evidence that confirms the construct validity of a list of stressor events being titled Life Events Inventary Causing Stress (LEICS). By TRI and DIF, it is concluded that the PSS 10 scale was invariant when applied to samples of pregnant women in two cities. / A identificação precoce do estresse por meio de instrumentos de aferição é uma estratégia simples e com baixo custo para o setor público, porém é necessário confirmar se realmente estamos medindo o que se propõe mensurar para uma população específica, ou seja, o estresse em mulheres no período gestacional. O objetivo deste estudo é a análise de dois instrumentos de mensuração do estresse em gestantes em duas cidades brasileiras: eventos de vida estressantes (EVE) e a escala de estresse percebido (Perceived Stress Scale - PSS). Foi conduzido um estudo transversal com gestantes em São Luís/MA e em Ribeirão Preto/SP (coorte BRISA). A validade de construto dos EVE foi realizada por meio da Análise Fatorial Exploratória e Confirmatória. Os parâmetros dos itens da PSS foram estimados utilizando o Modelo de Resposta Gradual de Samejima com base na Teoria de Resposta ao Item (TRI). Para análise do Funcionamento Diferencial dos Itens (DIF) foram empregados a Razão de Verossimilhança para DIF não-uniforme e diferenças entre os pesos das regressões (Δβ1) para DIF uniforme. Como estimativa da magnitude do DIF foi utilizado o Pseudo-R 2 . O modelo com três fatores então denominado Eventos de Vida Produtores de Estresse (EVPE) apresentou um bom ajuste (RMSEA <0.05; CFI/TLI >0.90) para as duas amostras. Para a PSS apenas a escala com 10 itens (PSS 10) apresentou o pré-requisito da unidimensionalidade. Os resultados mostraram boa variação dos limiares de resposta (bi) e discriminação (ai) de moderada a alta. A análise encontrou os itens 9 e 10 com provável DIF na PSS 10, porém não houve um efeito significativo do local de moradia nas respostas aos itens, sugerindo que as respostas não estão relacionadas a nenhum outro fator além do traço latente estresse percebido. Este estudo encontrou evidências que confirmam a validade de construto de uma lista com eventos estressores sendo intitulado de Inventário de Eventos de Vida Produtores de Estresse (IEVPE). Por meio da TRI e do DIF, conclui-se que a escala PSS 10 foi invariante quando aplicado em amostras de gestantes de duas cidades brasileiras.

Submitted by Fernanda Ciolfi (fernanda.ciolfi@puc-campinas.edu.br) on 2016-08-11T14:32:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Evandro Morais peixoto.pdf: 2577581 bytes, checksum: 6735068181b12eeb3df414676e9a57b7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-11T14:32:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Evandro Morais peixoto.pdf: 2577581 bytes, checksum: 6735068181b12eeb3df414676e9a57b7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-17 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior - CAPES / Currently, a great part of researchers and applied sport psychology professionals have been showing an increased interest in adaptive processes presented by the athletes. This study aimed to develop the second version of Adaptive Efficacy Scale for Athletes (EDAO-AR-A), which evaluates the effectiveness of athletes? adaptation facing different sectors of the personality: Affective-Relational (A-R) and Productivity (Pr), as well as assessing its psychometric properties. The research developed in two steps: 1) theoretical stage: analysis of the original version, construction of new items; content analysis by independent judges (n = 4); and semantic analysis; and 2) empirical stage: evaluation of internal structure, accuracy of the parameters of the items and participants? characteristics, convergent/criterion validity evidence and establishing standards. And so, the research included two samples: sample 1, which was composed of 15 athletes (22.93 ? 4.74; 60% women), and sample 2, which was composed by 374 athletes (22.8 ? 7.7; 53.2% men). Instruments used: EDAO-AR-A, Coping Inventory for Athletes in Competition (ICASC-40), Sports Motivation Scale (EMS-28) and Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ). Different statistical procedures were employed in order to reach the stipulated goals: content validity coefficient (CVC) in order to assess the agreement among the judges; Parallel Exploratory Analysis and Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) for the internal structure evaluation. Categorical version of Cronbach's alpha coefficient estimate of accuracy; Partial credit model (PCM) for parameters estimation of the items, participants? characteristics, as well as setting standards with reference regarding the items; Pearson's correlation for the convergent/divergent validity evidence, and inference analysis ANOVA and MANOVA for the study of criterion validity. The results obtained in step 1 indicated suitability of items that made up the scale (CVC > 0.75) and intelligibility of the participants. The results obtained in step 2 demonstrated both subscales, A-R and Pr, evaluate the effectiveness of adaptation according to three factors: Focus on me, Focus on others and Focus on Problem Situation, with desirable accuracy and invariant factorial structure between men and women. The PCM revealed items with low effort for the studied sample and appropriate adjustments (Infit/Outfit). Correlations indicated significant associations between the variables studied, substantiating the theoretical perspectives. Analyses of variance indicated the scale?s sensibility in capturing differences between groups. Lastly, the standards were established based on the procedure of converting the total score in theta, which will allow the practical application of the obtained results. It is concluded that the second version of EDAO-air is a suitable measure of Adaptive efficacy in athletes, as the results corroborate with theoretical assumptions. Based on the limitations of this research, new studies are suggested. / Atualmente observa-se um crescente interesse por parte dos pesquisadores e profissionais pr?ticos da psicologia do esporte em rela??o aos processos adaptativos apresentados pelos atletas. Este estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver a segunda vers?o da Escala Diagn?stica Adaptativa para Atletas (EDAO-AR-A), que avalia a efic?cia da adapta??o de atletas frente aos diferentes setores da personalidade: Afetivo-Relacional (A-R) e Produtividade (Pr), bem como avaliar suas propriedades psicom?tricas. A pesquisa se desenvolveu em duas etapas: 1) etapa te?rica: an?lise da vers?o original, constru??o de novos itens; an?lise de conte?do por ju?zes independentes (n= 4); e an?lise sem?ntica; e 2) etapa emp?rica: avalia??o da estrutura interna, precis?o, dos par?metros dos itens e caracter?sticas dos participantes, de evid?ncias de validade convergente/divergente, crit?rio e estabelecimento de normas. Para tanto, a pesquisa contou com duas amostras: amostra 1, que foi composta por 15 atletas (22,93?4,74; 60% mulheres), e amostra 2, que foi composta por 374 atletas (22,8?7,7; 53,2% homens). Instrumentos utilizados: EDAO-AR-A, Invent?rio de Coping para Atletas em Situa??o de Competi??o (ICASC?40), Escala de motiva??o esportiva (EMS-28) e Question?rio de Ambiente de Grupo (GEQ). Diferentes procedimentos estat?sticos foram empregados tendo em vista cada um dos objetivos estipulados: coeficiente de validade de conte?do (CVC) para a avalia??o do acordo entre os ju?zes; a An?lise Paralela e Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) para avali??o da estrutura interna. Vers?o categ?rica do coeficiente alfa de Cronbach para estimativa da precis?o; Modelo de cr?ditos parciais (MCP) para estimativa dos par?metros dos itens, caracter?sticas dos participantes, bem como para estabelecimento de normas com refer?ncia nos itens; Correla??o de Pearson para estimativa de evid?ncias de validade convergente/divergente, e an?lises inferenciais MANOVA e ANOVA para evid?ncia de validade de crit?rio. Os resultados obtidos na etapa 1 indicaram adequa??o dos itens que compuseram a escala (CVC> 0,75) e inteligibilidade dos participantes. Os resultados obtidos na etapa 2 demonstram ambas as subescalas, A-R e Pr, avaliam a efic?cia de adapta??o de acordo com tr?s fatores: Foco no eu, Foco no outro e Foco na situa??o problema, com ?ndices desej?veis de precis?o e estrutura fatorial invariante entre homens e mulheres. O MCP revelou itens com dificuldade baixa para amostra estudada e ?ndices de ajustes adequados (Infit/Outfit). As correla??es indicaram associa??es significativas entre as vari?veis estudadas, corroborando com as perspectivas te?ricas. As an?lises de vari?ncia indicaram a sensibilidade da escala em captar diferen?as entre grupos. Por fim, foram estabelecidas as normas com base no procedimento de transforma??o da pontua??o total em theta, o que possibilitar? a aplica??o pr?tica dos resultados obtidos. Conclui-se que a segunda vers?o da EDAO-AR-A ? uma medida adequada da efic?cia adaptativa em atletas, uma vez que os resultados corroboram as hip?teses te?ricas. Com base nas limita??es da pesquisa novos estudos s?o sugeridos.

Avaliaçõs educacionais, de distúrbios psicológicos e da aceitação de um produto no mercado são exemplos de estudos que buscam quantificar um construto de interesse através de questionários compostos por itens de múltipla escolha. A Teoria de Resposta ao Item (TRI) é muito utilizada na análise de dados provenientes da aplicação desses questionários. Há vários modelos da TRI já muito utilizados na prática com tal finalidade, tanto para respostas dicotômicas aos itens (certo/errado, presente/ausente, sim/não), quanto para itens com mais de duas categorias de resposta (nominais ou ordinais). No entanto, a grande maioria supôe que apenas um traço latente é necessário para explicar a probabilidade de resposta ao item (modelos unidimensionais). Como as situações práticas são usualmente caracterizadas por várias aptidões (traços latentes) influenciando a probabilidade de um indivíduo apresentar certa resposta ao item, os modelos multidimensionais são de grande importância. Neste trabalho, após um levantamento bibliográfico dos principais modelos multidimensionais da TRI existentes na literatura, realizou-se um estudo detalhado de um deles: o modelo logístico multidimensional de dois parâmetros. O método de estimação dos parâmetros dos itens por máxima verossimilhança marginal e dos traços latentes por máxima verossimilhança são explicitados assim como a estimação por métodos bayesianos. Todos os métodos foram implementados em R, comparados e aplicados a um conjunto de dados reais para avaliação do Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI) e do Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (ENEM) / Educational evaluations, psychological testing and market surveys are examples of studies aiming to quantify an underlying construct of interest through multiple choice item tests. Item Response Theory (IRT) is a class of models used to analyse such data. There are several IRT models already being used in applied studies to such end, either for dichotomical answers (right/wrong, present/ absent, Yes/No) or for itens with nominal or ordinal answers. However, the large majority of those models make the assumption that only one latent trait is sufficient to explain the probability of a correct answer to an item (unidimensional models). Since many situations in practice are characterized by multiple aptitudes (latent traits) in uencing such probabilities, multidimensional models that take such traits into consideration gain great importance. In the present work, after a thorough review of the litterature regarding multidimensional IRT models, we studied in depth one model: the two parameter multidimensional logistic model for dichotomical items. The marginal maximum likelihood method used to estimate the item parameters and the maximum likelihood method used for the latent traits as well as bayesian methods for parameter estimation were studied, compared, implemented in the R software and then applied to a real dataset to infere depression using the Beck Depression Inventory(BDI)and the Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (ENEM)

Recentemente desenvolvida, a biotecnologia denominada por Microarrays permite o monitoramento simultâneo dos valores de expressão gênica de centenas de milhares de genes, fator este que traz uma nova interpretação aos resultados obtidos em pesquisas desenvolvidas nas mais diversas áreas do conhecimento incluindo, por exemplo, a Farmacologia e Medicina, uma vez que os resultados obtidos são interpretados ao nível molecular. Contudo, apesar de muita tecnologia ser empregada à técnica de Microarrays, sua aplicação ainda ocasiona algumas complicações decorrentes, por exemplo, das inúmeras fontes de variação existentes, da escala das respostas ou da natural dificuldade de se analisar uma grande quantidade de fragmentos genéticos avaliados sob poucas unidades experimentais. Frente a estas complicações, atualmente, muitas são as propostas metodológicas de análises estatísticas para atenuar ou eliminar os problemas inerentes à técnica de Microarrays e propiciar a extração de resultados mais confiáveis a partir dos valores de expressão gênica, porém muitos desafios ainda persistem. Sob esta colocação, o presente trabalho procurou explorar duas metodologias de análise estatística alternativas no que diz respeito a seus conceitos, embora ambas tenham sido contextualizadas ao problema de Microarrays e aplicadas para se atingir o mesmo objetivo: possibilitar a identificação dos genes diferencialmente expressos sob distintas condições experimentais. A primeira metodologia consistiu da aplicação de Modelos de Análise de Variância de efeitos fixos com a adoção de modificações nas estatísticas de teste, metodologias de correções para múltiplos testes e a construção de gráficos vulcão. Já, a segunda metodologia consistiu da contextualização e aplicação da Teoria da Resposta ao Item TRI aos experimentos de Microarrays, abordagem esta pouco explorada na análise deste tipo de dado, mas a qual possibilita a seleção de genes diferencialmente expressos a partir de uma medida latente estimada para cada gene e a construção de uma escala para as categorias de resposta de expressão gênica. A motivação para este trabalho originou de um experimento de Microarrays com ratos congênicos disponibilizado pelo Laboratório de Cardiologia e Genética Molecular do Instituto do Coração (InCor-USP) cujo objetivo é identificar genes associados à hipertensão. / Recently developed, the biotechnology denominated Microarrays permits a simultaneous monitoring of the gene expression values of hundred thousands of genes; fact that introduces a new interpretation of the results obtained in researches developed in many distinct areas including, for example, Pharmacology and Medicine, once the obtained results are read according to the molecular level. However, despite the fact that much technology is used in the Microarrays technique, its application still causes some implications, for example, the countless sources of existing variance, the scale of answers or the natural difficulty in analyzing a large number of genetic fragments measured by few experimental units. Facing such complications, a lot of methodologies were suggested in order to reduce or eliminate the problems caused by the Microarrays technique and also foster the obtainment of more reliable results from the gene expression values, yet many challenges still persist. Under this perspective, the present work aimed at exploring two alternative methodologies regarding concepts, despite both were contextualized according to the Microarrays problem and applied with the same objective: enabling the identification of the genes differently expressed under different experimental conditions. The first methodology was composed by the application of Analysis of Variance Models of fixed effects with changes in the test statistics, correction methodologies for multiple tests and volcano plot. The second methodology consisted of the contextualization and application of the Item Response Theory IRT towards the Microarrays experiments, being this one not much explored in analysis that use this kind of data, but enabling the selection of genes differently expressed from an estimated latent trait for each gene and the construction of a scale for the categories of gene expression answers. The motivation for the present work came from an experiment of Microarrays with congenic mice made available by the Cardiology and Molecular Genetics Laboratory of the Heart Institute (InCor-USP) that aimed at identifying genes associated with hypertension.

This research study examined the psychometric properties of the Student Risk Screening Scale for Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors (SRSS-IE) using Item Response Theory (IRT) methods among a sample of 2,122 middle school students. The SRSS-IE is a recently revised screening instrument aimed at identifying students who are potentially at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). There are two studies included in this research. Study 1 utilized the Nominal Response and Generalized Partial Credit models of IRT to evaluate items from the SRSS-IE in terms of the degree to which the response options for each item functioned as intended by the scale developers and how well those response options discriminated among students who exhibited varying levels of EBD risk. Results from this first study indicated that the four response option configurations of the items on the SRSS-IE may not adequately discriminate among the frequency of externalizing and internalizing behaviors demonstrated by middle school students. Recommendations for item response option revisions or scale scoring revisions are discussed in this study. In study 2, differential item functioning (DIF) and differential step functioning (DSF) methods were used to examine differences in item and response option functioning according to student gender variables. Additionally, test information functions (TIFs) were used to determine whether preliminary recommendations for cut scores differ by gender. Results of this second study indicate that two of the items on the SRSS-IE systematically favor males over females and one item systematically favors females over males. Additionally, examination of TIFs demonstrated different degrees of measurement precision at various levels of theta for males and females on both the externalizing and internalizing constructs. Implications of these results are discussed in relation to possible revisions of the SRSS-IE items, cut scores, or scale scoring procedures.

Under item response theory, three types of limited information goodness-of-fit test statistics – M2, Mord, and C2 – have been proposed to assess model-data fit when data are sparse. However, the evaluation of the performance of these GOF statistics under multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) models with polytomous data is limited. The current study showed that M2 and C2 were well-calibrated under true model conditions and were powerful under misspecified model conditions. Mord were not well-calibrated when the number of response categories was more than three. RMSEA2 and RMSEAC2 are good tools to evaluate approximate fit. The second study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Religious Commitment Inventory-10 (RCI-10; Worthington et al., 2003) within the IRT framework and estimate C2 and its RMSEA to assess global model-fit. Results showed that the RCI-10 was best represented by a bifactor model. The scores from the RCI-10 could be scored as unidimensional notwithstanding the presence of multidimensionality. Two-factor correlational solution should not be used. Study two also showed that religious commitment is a risk factor of intimate partner violence, whereas spirituality was a protecting factor from the violence. More alcohol was related with more abusive behaviors. Implications of the two studies were discussed.

在一場競爭性的考試中，我們如何決定要錄取或是淘汰這個考生？傳統的紙筆測驗方式固定題目總數，考生回答相同的題目，60分以上為及格。隨著電腦科技的快速發展，測驗型式也由紙筆轉換成電腦操作，也就是電腦化測驗。所謂電腦化效標參照測驗（computerized criterion-referenced test）即是把考生能力分成兩個以上的程度區間，藉由考生的答題狀況來判斷考生應歸屬於哪個區間。這種測驗方式與傳統測驗不同的是：電腦化測驗是依據考生的答題表現來給題，考生能力越偏離分段點（thresholds），需要的題數就越少；越接近分段點，需要的題數就越多。 在這篇論文中，我們運用兩個參數的羅吉斯模型（two-parameter logistic model）來估計考生之於試題的答對機率。藉由電腦模擬來探討結合貝它保護（beta-protection）方法和適性測驗對平均測驗題數及誤判率（亦即考生真正的能力與電腦判斷的區間不同）的影響。在模擬過程中，我們也介紹了試題參數的選擇情形，估計考生能力的方法以及在貝它保護下，停止選題的規則。根據這些原則，電腦模擬結果證明使用適性測驗加上貝它保護方法能夠有效地控制誤判率在規定的範圍內，程度不同的考生也能控制有不同的測驗題數。 / In a traditional Paper-and-Pencil (p-and-p) test, all examinees have same test items and the number of items is fixed. The examinee fails or passes the exam depends on if his/her test score exceeds a predetermined scores, say, 60 out of 100. However, with the rapid advancement of modern computer technology, the test form has been converted from p-and-p to computer terminal. Computerized criterion-referenced classify the examinees into more than two categories according to his/her answers to the items. It differs from the conventional standardized test in that the selection of test items is tailored to each examinee’s ability level. Typically, those examinees with high ability or low ability will have shorter average test length (ATL) than examinees with ability that close to thresholds. In this thesis, we assume that the probability of choosing correct response to an item follows a two-parameter logistic (2-PL) model. Our goal is to study the performance of ATL and misclassification rate (MR) using beta-protection method and adaptive sequential item selection. On the simulation procedures, we also introduce the selection rule of item parameter, the methods used to estimate an examinee’s ability, and the stopping rule with beta-protection. Simulation results show that using adaptive test and beta-protection method can control the MR within specified level and the number of test items required depends on the examinee’s ability.

In test score equating the focus is on the problem of finding the relationship between the scales of different test forms. This can be done only if data are collected in such a way that the effect of differences in ability between groups taking different test forms can be separated from the effect of differences in test form difficulty. In standard equating procedures this problem has been solved by using common examinees or common items. With common examinees, as in the equivalent groups design, the single group design, and the counterbalanced design, the examinees taking the test forms are either exactly the same, i.e., each examinee takes both test forms, or random samples from the same population. Common items (anchor items) are usually used when the samples taking the different test forms are assumed to come from different populations. The thesis consists of four papers and the main theme in three of these papers is the use of covariates, i.e., background variables correlated with the test scores, in observed score equating. We show how covariates can be used to adjust for systematic differences between samples in a non-equivalent groups design when there are no anchor items. We also show how covariates can be used to decrease the equating error in an equivalent groups design or in a non-equivalent groups design. The first paper, Paper I, is the only paper where the focus is on something else than the incorporation of covariates in equating. The paper is an introduction to test score equating, and the author's thoughts on the foundation of test score equating. There are a number of different definitions of test score equating in the literature. Some of these definitions are presented and the similarities and differences between them are discussed. An attempt is also made to clarify the connection between the definitions and the most commonly used equating functions. In Paper II a model is proposed for observed score linear equating with background variables. The idea presented in the paper is to adjust for systematic differences in ability between groups in a non-equivalent groups design by using information from background variables correlated with the observed test scores. It is assumed that conditional on the background variables the two samples can be seen as random samples from the same population. The background variables are used to explain the systematic differences in ability between the populations. The proposed model consists of a linear regression model connecting the observed scores with the background variables and a linear equating function connecting observed scores on one test forms to observed scores on the other test form. Maximum likelihood estimators of the model parameters are derived, using an assumption of normally distributed test scores, and data from two administrations of the Swedish Scholastic Assessment Test are used to illustrate the use of the model. In Paper III we use the model presented in Paper II with two different data collection designs: the non-equivalent groups design (with and without anchor items) and the equivalent groups design. Simulated data are used to examine the effect - in terms of bias, variance and mean squared error - on the estimators, of including covariates. With the equivalent groups design the results show that using covariates can increase the accuracy of the equating. With the non-equivalent groups design the results show that using an anchor test together with covariates is the most efficient way of reducing the mean squared error of the estimators. Furthermore, with no anchor test, the background variables can be used to adjust for the systematic differences between the populations and produce unbiased estimators of the equating relationship, provided that the “right” variables are used, i.e., the variables explaining those differences. In Paper IV we explore the idea of using covariates as a substitute for an anchor test with a non-equivalent groups design in the framework of Kernel Equating. Kernel Equating can be seen as a method including five different steps: presmoothing, estimation of score probabilities, continuization, equating, and calculating the standard error of equating. For each of these steps we give the theoretical results when observations on covariates are used as a substitute for scores on an anchor test. It is shown that we can use the method developed for Post-Stratification Equating in the non-equivalent groups with anchor test design, but with observations on the covariates instead of scores on an anchor test. The method is illustrated using data from the Swedish Scholastic Assessment Test.