On the Boundary Problems in Diagnostic Classification Models

Abstract

In diagnostic classification models, parameter estimation sometimes provides estimates that stick to the boundaries of the parameter space, which is called the boundary problem, and it may lead to extreme values of standard errors. However, the relationship between the boundary problem and irregular standard errors has not been analytically explored. In addition, prior research has not shown how maximum a posteriori estimates avoid the boundary problem and affect the standard errors of estimates. To analyze these relationships, the expectation-maximization algorithm for maximum a posteriori estimates and a complete data Fisher information matrix are explicitly derived for a mixture formulation of saturated diagnostic classification models. Theoretical considerations show that the emptiness of attribute mastery patterns causes both the boundary problem and the inaccurate standard error estimates. Furthermore, unfortunate boundary problem without emptiness causes shorter standard errors. A simulation study shows that the maximum a posteriori method prevents boundary problems and improves standard error estimates more than maximum likelihood estimates do. The effect is sometimes radical, and the results show that the maximum a posteriori method is more appropriate than the maximum likelihood method.