Briefly Explain the Basis of Item Response Theory

question 5

Essay

Briefly explain the basis of item response theory.  How does it differ from classical test theory?  What are some of the benefits and challenges to each of these theories?  Are there times when one would be more appropriate to employ than the other?  What are item characteristic curves, and what information can they provide?

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Definitions:

Placebo Effect

A phenomenon wherein a patient experiences a perceived improvement in condition due to believing they are receiving treatment, when in fact they have been given a non-active substance or intervention.

Informed Consent

A legal and ethical requirement ensuring individuals are fully aware of and understand the potential risks and benefits before agreeing to undergo a medical procedure or participate in a research study.

Internal Validity

The extent to which a study accurately demonstrates a cause-and-effect relationship between variables.

External Validity

The extent to which the results of a study can be generalized to other situations and to other people.