The Mixed-Coefficients Multinomial Logit Model: A Generalized Form of the Rasch Model

Abstract

Since Rasch’s introduction of his item response models (Rasch, 1960), there has been a proliferation of extensions and alternatives, each of which has a different name and different matching software package. As Adams, Wilson, & Wang (1997) pointed out, the proliferation of models has, in some ways, been a hindrance to practitioners. This paper presents a generalized item response model that provides a unifying framework for a large class of Rasch-type models. The advantages of a single framework include mathematical elegance, generality in a single software package, and a facilitation of the development, testing, and comparison of new models.