Applicability and Efficiency of a Polytomous IRT-Based Computerized Adaptive Test for Measuring Psychological Traits

Abstract

Currently, research on computerized adaptive testing (CAT) focuses mainly on dichotomous items and cognitive traits (achievement, aptitude, etc.). However, polytomous IRT-based CAT is a promising research area for measuring psychological traits that has attracted much attention. The main purpose of this study is to test the practicality of the polytomous IRT-based CAT and its equivalence with the paper-pencil version. Data were collected from 1449 high school students (45% female), using the paper-pencil version for IRT parameter estimates and CAT simulation studies. For the equivalence study, the research group consisted of 81 students (47% female) who participated in both the paper-pencil and live CAT application. The paper-pencil version of vocational interest inventory consists of 17 factors and 164 items. The simulation study showed that the EAP estimation method and the SE < .500 test termination strategy were superior compared to the other CAT designs. The Item selection did not help to reduce test duration or increase measurement accuracy. As a result, it was found that an area of interest can be assessed with about four items. The results of the live CAT application showed that the estimates of CAT were strongly positively correlated with its paper-pencil version. In addition, the live CAT application increased usability compared to the fixed-length test version by reducing test length by 50% and time by 77%. This study shows that the polytomous IRT-based CAT is applicable and efficient for measuring psychological traits.