Explanatory Response Models

Abstract

Regression models have a familiar suitability as explanatory models: a criterion or dependent variable is explained in terms of predictors or independent variables. In the explanatory item response modeling (EIRM) approach, item responses are seen as dependent variables to be explained by independent variables, such as properties of persons, items, and pairs of persons and items. Examples of person properties are gender, age, socioeconomic status, or perhaps treatment status, or location on another test variable. Examples of item properties depend on the domain of testing. For example, in a spatial ability test, the angle of the required rotation is such a property, while in a mathematical t..