A Comparison between BMIRT and IRTPRO: A Simulation Study of a Multidimensional Item Response Model

Abstract

The objective of this study is to provide comparative information on two software programs-IRTPRO version 2.1 for Windows and BMIRT. In educational measurement, software programs are being developed and updated rapidly. By using a small-scale simulation study on a two-parameter logistic model in multidimensional item response theory, this study is to examine the bias values and root mean square error values produced by both programs. Other than item parameter recovery, the comparisons about run time and user interface were also made. The results showed that BMIRT was better in estimating item slope parameters. However, in terms of run time, it is much slower than IRTPRO. In addition, IRTPRO's interface is much more user friendly than BMIRT's. Screenshots of conducting item calibrations for both programs are in Appendix A.