Applying the Rasch Model: Fundamental Measurement in the Human Sciences

Written in an accessible style, this book facilitates a deep understanding of the Rasch model, a theoretically elegant, yet straight-forward method for explaining interactions between observed and latent variables. Authors, Bond and Fox review the crucial properties of the Rasch model and demonstrate its use with a wide range of examples including the measurement of educational achievement, human development, attitudes, and medical rehabilitation. A glossary and numerous illustrations further aid the reader's understanding of important measurement issues. The authors' goals are to present an accessible overview of Rasch analysis that does not require a statistical background. They demonstrate how to apply Rasch analysis and prepare readers to perform their own analyses and interpret the results. Updated throughout, highlights of the Second Edition include: a new CD that features an introductory version of the latest Winsteps program and the data files for the book's examples, preprogrammed to run using Winsteps; a new chapter on invariance that highlights the parallels between physical and human science measurement; a new appendix on analyzing data to help those new to Rasch analysis get started; more explanation of the key concepts and item characteristic curves make the text easier to follow; a new empirical example with data sets demonstrates the many facets Rasch model; new examples using thermometry and the measurement of sport performances, and the growing use of student satisfaction data in university and college reviews; and an increased focus on issues related to unidimensionality, multidimensionality, and the Rasch factor analysis of residuals. Applying the Rasch Model is intended for researchers and practitioners in the human sciences: psychologists, especially developmental psychologists, education, health care, medical rehabilitation, business, government, and those interested in measuring attitude, ability, and/or performance. The book is an excellent text which focuses on the measurement properties of the Rasch model and is suitable for use in courses on advanced research methods, measurement, or quantitative analysis. Significant knowledge of statistics is not required.